Here’s the best robot vacuum for thick carpet

I’ve been staying with my grandma the last few months and helping her grandma-proof things around the house. One major revamp I’ve been focusing on is reducing her chores and getting rid of dangerous tripping hazards (hi 🙋, I run a website about rug pads).

She’s a petite, cute little thing and can’t really lug around a vacuum cleaner like when she was my age. So I’m looking into getting her a robot vacuum cleaner so that she can keep her home spic-and-span without putting her body at risk.

The problem?

She has some plush-a$$ carpeted floors and not all robot vacs are created equal when it comes to carpeted floors, especially high pile carpet.

I’ve come down to these three robot vacuum cleaners that I’m looking at for my grandma.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Robot Vacuum for Plush Carpet

When it comes to shopping for a robot vacuum cleaner for thick carpet, there are a few major things you want to consider.

Generally speaking, robot vacuums have a brush roll that sort of flicks the debris on the floor surface up toward the vacuum. The suction power of the vacuum takes it away, never to be seen again.

This is all great with low pile carpet, but with high pile carpets, those brush roll bristles (aka beater brushes) can get tangled with the carpet fibers.

So here are a few things to look for if you have a thick carpet so that you don’t get all the things tangled:

• Suction power and cleaning ability: Suction power is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a robot vacuum because it affects how well it can clean up dirt and debris from your carpets and floors. Look out for vacuums with strong suction, high-performance suction, or advanced suction technology to ensure powerful cleaning. If you have thick carpets, make sure the robot vacuum has deep cleaning capabilities to effectively lift dirt and dust from deep within the fibers.
• Brush design and size: Look for a vacuum with a rubber brushroll or roller brush, as these types of brushes are best suited for picking up dirt and debris from plush carpets. You’ll also want to consider the type of “bristles” on the brush, as well as whether it’s made of rubber or a tangle-free material. For example, rubber brushes are great for collecting pet hair, while tangle-free brushes are ideal for preventing hair and debris from getting caught in the brush system. By selecting a robot vacuum with the right brush design and size, you’ll ensure that your carpets are thoroughly cleaned and maintained.
• Height adjustment: Look for vacuums with adjustable height or automatic height adjustment, as these can help ensure that the vacuum is at the right height to clean your carpet effectively. Some models even have carpet height sensors or carpet boost technology to adjust the height automatically. Multi-surface cleaning is also important, as it allows the robot vacuum to transition smoothly from carpet to hardwood floors without getting stuck or damaging your surfaces.
• Navigation and mapping capabilities: Look out for features like mapping technology, obstacle detection, and smart navigation. Some advanced robot vacuums even use laser mapping and room mapping to create a virtual map of your home, which can help them clean more efficiently. Make sure to choose a robot vacuum with boundary marking capabilities so you can keep it from wandering into areas where you don’t want it to clean. With these features, you can trust your robot vacuum to navigate your home with ease, and make your cleaning routine that much easier.
• Battery life and charging time: Battery life and charging time are important factors to consider when choosing a robot vacuum, especially if you have a large home or multiple floors. Look for a robot vacuum with a long battery life or extended run time, so you can clean multiple rooms without having to stop and recharge. Fast charging and recharge and resume features are also helpful if you need to quickly clean before guests arrive or if you have a busy schedule. Some robot vacuums even have smart charging capabilities, which allow them to automatically recharge when they need to without wasting energy. Of course, the price and overall value of the robot vacuum are also important considerations when making your decision.

Top Robot Vacuums for Thick Carpet

Okay so finally to the list of the best robot vacuums for thick carpet.

Keep in mind that I am looking for robot vacuum cleaners that are good for

• my cute little grandma
• low maintenance (aka a self-emptying robot vacuum)
• as few technical issues as possible (aka a self cleaning brush roll)
• high pile carpets
• lots of random area rugs on said high pile carpet
• small budgets

Here are three best robot vacuums from Amazon that have high ratings and plenty of reviews, and are suitable for cleaning thick carpets.

iRobot Roomba i7+ (7550) Robot Vacuum

Key Specs:

• Features a powerful suction system and a unique multi-surface rubber brush that adapts to different floor types
• Smart mapping technology and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant allow for easy control and scheduling
• Automatic dirt disposal system with a large capacity bag means less maintenance and more convenience
• Over 5,000 ratings on Amazon with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars

The iRobot Roomba i7+ (7550) Robot Vacuum is a highly advanced robot vacuum with powerful suction capabilities and a unique multi-surface rubber brush that adapts to different floor types. 

The smart mapping technology and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant allow for easy control and scheduling, and the automatic dirt disposal system with a large capacity bag means less maintenance and more convenience. 

Many customers love this vacuum for its ability to pick up pet hair and debris, and its ability to map and clean multiple rooms with ease. It is ideal for those who want a reliable and efficient cleaning solution for their home, especially if they have pets or thick carpets. 

I really like the rubber design. I find it especially good at scraping carpets and collecting hair and other hard-to-grab debris.

I was surprised by how well it got itself out of sticky situations. For example, my grandma has a little rug with tassels on the end that the Roomba got caught on. I watched as it pivoted a few times until it became untangled and moved on with ease. The same technique was applied when it got caught on the plush rug in the bathroom.

It glides pretty easily over thick carpet and even over thicker area rugs on top of thick carpets.

Like other reviewers have mentioned, it is quite loud. I was surprised by just how loud, especially when it is emptying its canister.

Another thing that is a little weird for me is setting up the mapping. I’ve tried a few times and it didn’t quite finish the house or report anything in the app. After a few tries, it finally began mapping the house.

I really like that you can see the rooms in your house and schedule the cleaning per room. But like I mentioned, it’s either not as intuitive as I expected or it’s a little glitchy. You can see the mapped house in the app, here, but notice that I haven’t been able to name the rooms yet.

My guess is that I got a little eager and cleaned the house before I mapped it yesterday, assuming that it would do both at the same time.

Another key consideration for potential buyers is that it is a higher-end vacuum with a higher price tag. It was a bit pricey and honestly I was not sure if I’d regret spending so much money on it.

Now that it has cleaned the house and I’ve seen the absolute joy on my grandma’s face, I’m 100% happy that I went for it on this one. She will not have to lug her vacuum cleaner around anymore and instead has a little pet vacuum that she now affectionately calls “BooBoo”.

Roborock S6 MaxV Robot Vacuum

Key Specs:

• Advanced navigation and mapping capabilities using laser technology and AI object recognition
• Strong suction power and a floating brush design allow for deep cleaning of carpets and hard floors
• High-capacity battery and recharge and resume functionality for longer cleaning sessions
• Over 3,500 ratings on Amazon with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars

The Roborock S6 MaxV Robot Vacuum is a highly advanced robot vacuum with advanced navigation and mapping capabilities using laser technology and AI object recognition. It has strong suction power and a floating brush design that allows for deep cleaning of carpets and hard floors, and a high-capacity battery with recharge and resume functionality for longer cleaning sessions. Customers love this vacuum for its thorough cleaning ability and smart navigation features. It is ideal for those who want a highly advanced and efficient cleaning solution for their home, especially if they have thick carpets or hardwood floors. One key consideration for potential buyers is that it is a higher-end robot vacuum cleaner, with a higher price tag.

Ecovacs Deebot T8+ Robot Vacuum

Key Specs:

• Features TrueMapping technology for accurate mapping and smart navigation
• Advanced suction power and a unique brush design for efficient cleaning of carpets and hard floors
• Includes a mop function for versatile cleaning
• Over 1,000 ratings on Amazon with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Ecovacs Deebot T8+ Robot Vacuum is a versatile robot vacuum with TrueMapping technology for accurate mapping and smart navigation, advanced suction power, and a unique brush design for efficient cleaning of carpets and hard floors. It also includes a mop function for versatile cleaning. Customers love this vacuum for its ability to clean thoroughly and efficiently, and its versatility with the mop function. It is ideal for those who want a reliable and versatile cleaning solution for their home, especially if they have pets or children. One key consideration for potential buyers is that the mop function may not be as effective as a standalone mop, and the dustbin may need to be emptied frequently if there are pets or lots of debris.

Here’s how they compare:

Feature	iRobot Roomba i7+	Roborock S6 MaxV	Ecovacs Deebot T8+
Navigation	Smart mapping technology	Laser technology with AI recognition	TrueMapping technology
Suction Power	Strong suction system	Strong suction power	Advanced suction power
Brush Design	Multi-surface rubber brush	Floating brush design	Unique brush design
Carpet Cleaning	Deep cleaning capabilities	Deep cleaning capabilities	Efficient carpet cleaning
Battery Life	Long battery life	High-capacity battery	Long battery life
Charging Time	Fast charging and recharge and resume	Fast charging and recharge and resume	Fast charging
Smart Home Integration	Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility	Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility	Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility
Object Recognition	N/A	AI object recognition	N/A
Mopping Function	N/A	N/A	Includes a mop function

Please note that this comparison chart is not exhaustive and only includes some of the most commonly mentioned features and benefits in customer reviews that are directly relevant to my search for the perfect robot vac for my grandma.

Tips for Maintaining a Smart Vacuum for High-Pile Carpet

Taking care of any appliance is a commitment, but your robot vacuum cleaner will be the lowest maintenance of them all.

Even so, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind when choosing a robot vacuum cleaner.

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

To keep your robot vacuum running smoothly and efficiently, it’s important to perform regular cleaning and maintenance. This includes emptying the dustbin after each cleaning session, checking and cleaning the brushes and filters regularly, and wiping down the sensors and charging contacts. It’s also a good idea to perform a deep cleaning of the vacuum every few months to remove any built-up dirt and debris.

Best Practices for Using the Robot Vacuum on Thick Carpets

When using a full robot vacuum for carpet, on thick carpets, there are some best practices to keep in mind. First, make sure the vacuum is set to the correct height for your carpet, and that the brushes are clean and free of hair or debris. You may also want to consider using boundary markers to prevent the vacuum from getting stuck or tangled in the carpet fibers. Additionally, it’s important to schedule regular cleaning sessions to prevent dirt and debris from building up in the carpet.

Recommended Rug Pads for Easy Use with Robot Vacuums

Using a rug pad can help make it easier for your robot vacuum cleaner to clean your high-pile carpet. Look for a rug pad that is non-slip and provides extra cushioning, and that is compatible with your robot vacuum’s brush design. Some popular options include the Rug Pad USA Eco Plush Felt Rug Pad and Nature’s Grip.

Common Questions About Smart Vacuums

I had a lot of questions when I began my search. As a young 30-something woman, I’m still in my top-of-the-line-heavy-to-lift-vacuum-cleaner phase. But when I started looking at robot vacs, these are the questions that came up for me when considering my grandma.

Can robot vacuums replace traditional vacuum cleaners?

While robot vacuums are convenient and efficient for regular cleaning, they may not be able to replace traditional vacuum cleaners completely. Robot vacuums are best suited for regular maintenance cleaning, while traditional vacuum cleaners can be more powerful and effective for deep cleaning.

Are robot vacuums effective at cleaning carpets?

Yes, robot vacuums can be very effective at cleaning carpets, especially if they have strong suction power and the right brush design for the carpet fibers. Look for a robot vacuum with deep cleaning capabilities and a brushroll or roller brush to effectively clean your carpets.

Can robot vacuums clean multiple rooms?

Yes, most robot vacuums can clean multiple rooms, and many models have smart mapping technology that allows them to navigate and clean your entire home. Some models may require you to manually move them to different rooms or set up boundary markers to guide their cleaning.

Are robot vacuums loud?

While some robot vacuums can be loud, many newer models have quieter operation and offer adjustable suction power settings to reduce noise.

How often do I need to empty the dustbin on my robot vacuum?

The frequency of emptying the dustbin on your robot vacuum will depend on the size of the dustbin and the amount of debris in your home. In general, it’s a good idea to empty the dustbin after each cleaning session to ensure optimal dustbin performance.

Self emptying robot vacuums, however, will empty the contents into a bin on the charging dock, completely eliminating the need to empty the dust bin. This is exactly why I’ll be looking for a robot vacuum that has automatic emptying.

Can robot vacuums climb stairs?

No, robot vacuums are not designed to climb stairs. It’s important to keep them on one level of your home to prevent falls or damage.

Can robot vacuums clean under furniture?

Yes, many robot vacuums are designed to clean under furniture, as long as there is enough clearance for the robotic vacuum cleaners to move around.

Are robot vacuums safe to use around pets and children?

Yes, robot vacuums for carpet are generally safe to use around pets and children, but it’s important to supervise their use and ensure that the vacuum is not picking up any small items or objects that could be harmful.

How do I maintain my robot vacuum?

To maintain your robot vacuum, it’s important to regularly clean and maintain the brushes and filters, empty the dustbin, and wipe down the sensors and charging contacts. You may also want to perform a deep cleaning every few months to remove any built-up dirt and debris.

What is the lifespan of a robot vacuum?

The lifespan of a robot vacuum will depend on the brand, model, and frequency of use. In general, most robot vacuums have a lifespan of 2-5 years, but some higher-end models may last longer. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance and care instructions to prolong the lifespan of your robot vacuum.

Final Thoughts

The best robot vacuums are those that make your life better, not a hassle. Whether you have a high pile carpet or low pile carpet (or both!), hardwood floors or random floor surfaces… whatever you have, I recommend one of these three best robot vacuums simply because they can suit most home needs. Let me know what you end up going with!