Looking for a very good robot vacuum? Get the Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni! 🍒

Best Robot Vacuum for Carpets in the UK (2024)

Robot Vacuum Cleaner for Carpets

Last updated: 26.12.2023 Reading time: 12 Min.

A fluffy carpet makes your home much more cosy and comfortable. But cleaning a carpet - that’s anything but comfortable for a robot vacuum.

First, the good news: you don't have to do without a little household helper. Robot vacuums also do a good job on carpets these days!

We looked for the best robot vacuums for carpets and reviewed them. Now we can meticulously reveal all their differences and similarities.

We take a close look at all the must-have features of a robot vacuum. We also show which models work best on carpets.

A robot vacuum cleans a high pile carpet.

What you should look out for when buying a robot vacuum for high carpets

  • It should be a good robot vacuum in general. Good performance on carpets shouldn’t be the only criterion.
  • Suction performance on carpets: How well does the robot vacuum clean your carpet?
  • Does the robot vacuum have a carpet detection function?
  • Height overcoming: Can it drive over your carpet?
  • Can you define restricted zones in the app?
  • Dust container should be as large as possible.
  • Price-performance ratio.

The best robot vacuums on carpets in the UK - Our top recommendations:

Best Price Alternatives

Find out more about our favorites now

Strong suction power

Dyson 360 Vis Nav

Exceptionally strong suction power on carpets.

The Dyson 360 Vis Nav is the latest vacuum robot to complement your Dyson collection.

The Dyson 360 Vis Nav exhibited remarkable suction power in our testing, outperforming other vacuum robots.

This is especially effective on carpets.

Its ability to overcome various obstacles easily makes it suitable for homes with different floor types.

Hard Floor

Dyson 360 Vis Nav cleaning on hard floor
Image © Smart Home Fox

Carpet

Dyson 360 Vis Nav cleaning or carpets
Image © Smart Home Fox

In terms of navigation, while it is reliable, it doesn't match the speed of some competitors.

Those expecting rapid vacuuming might find it a bit slower. ⏳

The battery life is somewhat limited due to the strong suction power.

In larger apartments, the robot may need to recharge mid-cleaning.

The emptying function of the Dyson 360 Vis Nav is practical.

Dirt container of the Dyson 360 Vis Nav
Image © Smart Home Fox

However, it lacks a suction station for automatic emptying, requiring manual intervention.

Another feature missing is a mopping function.

Therefore, if mopping is a necessity, an alternative solution is needed.

This might not be a major concern in homes with mostly carpeted floors.

View on Amazon*

Advantages

Exceptional suction strength

Distinctive design

Excellent emptying feature

Effective HEPA filter, ideal for allergy sufferers

Interactive touch display

Proficient at climbing

Streamlined app

Analyzes dirt

Premium build quality

Disadvantages

Lacks suction station

Missing mopping feature

Longer cleaning duration compared to others

Best for object detection

iRobot Roomba j7+

Equipped with top features.

We love that it automatically detects flat objects.

The iRobot Roomba j7+ comes with everything your heart desires: 

  • Improved emptying station
  • Updated design
  • Usual powerful suction on hardwood floors and carpets

The highlight is certainly the independent obstacle detection 👀. Thanks to a front camera, flat objects can be spotted and avoided. 📷

iRobot Roomba j7 avoids flat objects in object detection test.

iRobot Roomba j7 autonomously detects and drives around a dog poop.
© iRobot
The Roomba j7 avoids dog excrement and cables. It will also recognise other objects like socks, slippers, etc. 🧦

In summary, the iRobot Roomba j7+ is a very effective and modern cleaning device. It cleans your floors reliably.

Those who are prepared to pay the high purchase price can expect the usual top quality this USA market leader brings to the table.

Check Amazon*

Advantages:

Automatic obstacle avoidance

Good voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant

iRobot Home app very useful

Workmanship and design are top-class

Dirt Detect technology: Stubborn dirt is cleaned several times

Good cleaning performance on carpets and hard floors

Flat

Self-cleaning station

Disadvantages:

Expensive

Less battery life

Object recognition not yet 100 % reliable

VSLAM navigation not the most sophisticated system

No mopping ability

Disposable bags used in the base station

Best Price Alternatives

Best alternative
Dreame
L20 Ultra
Price from   £ 1,099

Dreame L20 Ultra

The Dreame L20 Ultra stands out as a versatile, multifunctional cleaning solution.

It enhances the cleaning experience with unique features such as self-cleaning and extendable wiping pads.

The Dreame L20 Ultra boasts a range of impressive features for home cleaning. 

It features extendable mops for edge-to-edge wiping, and its practical settings enable it to transition smoothly between hard floors and carpets. 

Extendable mops for edge to edge cleaning
Extendable mops for edge to edge cleaning. © Smart Home Fox

The multifunction station is a significant addition, taking care of mop washing, drying, water tank refilling, and dust tank emptying. 

Functionality of the base station

It reduces maintenance to almost zero when connected to a water supply, offering near-complete autonomous floor cleaning. 💯

This device vacuums and wipes effectively but also has some limitations. 

Dreame L20 Ultra vacuuming function
© Smart Home Fox
Dreame L20 Ultra wiping function
© Smart Home Fox

The app experience, slightly bulky design, and occasional coordination issues between the hardware and software need improvement. 

However, its price-performance ratio is highly commendable. 

The Dreame L20 Ultra provides a breadth of functionality that is rare to find at this price. 

This makes it a compelling choice for those seeking a comprehensive cleaning robot.

Buy on Amazon*

Advantages

Strong carpet suction power

Mopping functionality

Edge-to-edge cleaning with extendable pads

Includes a suction station

Self-cleaning wiping pads

Pads dry automatically

Mops retract for carpet cleaning

Precise wiper cleaning control

Connects to external water supply

Advanced monitoring and communication features

Robust battery life

Great price-performance ratio

Easy maintenance

Disadvantages

Limited capacity of mobile dust tank

Uses disposable bags in the station

Hardware and software coordination needs improvement

Inconsistent obstacle detection

Confusing mobile app interface

Bulky size of station and robot

Great offer 💶
Dreame
L10s Ultra
Price from   £ 729

Dreame L10s Ultra

This robot vacuum-mop combo has everything you need from a little household helper!

The base station can: Wash & dry mops, refill the water tank, add cleaning solution and empty the mobile dust container.

No need for the Dreame L10s Ultra to shy away from comparison with the top dogs in the industry. 💪

The base station is particularly noteworthy. It performs the following tasks:

  • (1) Adding cleaning solution
  • (2) Self-cleaning of the mops (incl. extraction of dirty water) (cleaning station)
  • (3) Emptying of the dust container (emptying station)
  • (4) Drying the mop pads 
  • (5) Filling water tank

Functions of the base station

As you can see, daily floor cleaning is automated to a large extent. 🤖

Dreametech avoids flashy extras and focuses exclusively on providing a high-quality, intelligent cleaning solution.

You’ll particularly like this Dreamebot if the mopping ability is a top priority for you. 🤩

The mopping test result on laminate floor can be seen.
Laminate
The mopping test result on the PVC floor can be seen.
PVC

Conclusion: You get plenty of features for the price. ⚖️ 

Check Amazon*

Advantages:

Fair price

Excellent mopping ability

Mops are cleaned during the cleaning session

Mop can be lifted 7 mm to avoid carpets

Strong suction power, especially on carpets

Good climbing performance (approx. 2.1 cm) 

Mop cleaning intervals adjustable to m²

Dries mop pads

Detection of flat obstacles

Home monitoring via camera

Automatic emptying of the mobile dust container

Quiet operation

Base station is easy to clean

Detergent is automatically administered during mopping 

Quick mapping

Battery power

Disadvantages:

Corner cleaning not optimal

Approx. 6 cm remains unmopped along skirting boards (vacuuming does reach, though)

Disposable dust bag in the base station 

Limited voice control

Design and quality of workmanship could be better

Best mopping ability
Roborock
S8 Pro Ultra
Price from   £ 1,429 £ (1,550.14 )

Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

Experience top-tier cleaning with the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, boasting the standout Ultra Station.

Enhanced automation and quality set this model apart from its predecessor, the S7 series.

The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra makes a bold promise: "Forget cleaning - really!" and it does a good job living up to that.

This robot cleaner is packed with top-notch features, with the Ultra Station being the star. ⭐️

This handy station does four things for you:

  • Cleans the mop
  • Dries the mop
  • Empties the mobile dust tank
  • Refills the water tank

functions of the ultra station

Essentially, it makes daily cleaning mostly hands-off. ✋🏻

It's evident that the makers have taken the best parts of their older models and added some neat improvements.

Highlights include a new way to dry the mop, an improved brush system, better obstacle detection, and two mop settings for a thorough clean.

This model feels more like a polished version of the previous ones rather than a brand-new invention.

During our tests, its wiping function worked extremely well. 🧽

wiping function of the Roborock S8 pro Ultra
© Smart Home Fox
wiping test of the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
© Smart Home Fox

Its strong suction was commendable too.

suction test of the Roborock S8 pro ultra
© Smart Home Fox
Suction test of the Roborock S8 pro ultra
© Smart Home Fox

The device also showcased good navigation skills, especially in obstacle detection.

map building through laser navigation
© Smart Home Fox
obstacle detection of the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
© Smart Home Fox

On the downside, its side brush could be better on carpets and edges, and the use of throwaway dust bags seems a bit old-fashioned.

Plus, it's on the pricier side. 🤑

So, if you're after the latest in robot cleaning and don't mind the cost, this is a great pick.

But if you're looking to save a bit, considering the slightly older S7 series might be a good idea.

Check Amazon*

Advantages

Powerful battery for extended cleaning sessions

Quick battery charging

Energy-efficient with "off-peak" charging times

High Suction Power (6000 Pa.) for optimal cleaning results

Ultra Station handles multiple tasks: extraction, mop head washing & drying, water tank filling

Efficient brush system with two rubber brushes

Can store up to 4 cards

Enhanced object recognition

User-friendly mobile app

Superior data handling with no built-in camera

High-quality build

Disadvantages

High price point

Ultra Station occupies substantial space

Ultra Station doesn’t automatically add cleaning fluid to the mobile water tank

Uses disposable dust bags in the extraction station

Three-arm side brush has difficulty manoeuvring corners and performing on carpets

No spare parts are provided

Underdeveloped voice control

Non-removable wiping module

Robot vacuum vs dark carpets - What if the robot vacuum avoids it?

Sometimes, a robot vacuum may avoid a black or very dark carpet.

Robot vacuum cleaning a black carpet.

What happens here is that the sensors classify the black carpet as a precipice. Then they ensure that the robot vacuum won’t drive over it.

We don’t want that, because this way it won’t clean the carpet.

But there’s a simple remedy for this problem.

You can cover up these sensors.

These are on the bottom side of the robot vacuum. Just cover the sensors with a strip of adhesive tape.

Covering the crash sensors of a robot vacuum.

This should solve the problem with the dark/black carpets.

Caution: This procedure is only suitable for an apartment/house without "actual" precipices. If your home has a staircase, loft, etc., you shouldn’t cover the sensors. After all, you don't want to see your faithful household helper jumping down the stairs...

Robotic vacuum cleaner and carpet fringes

Carpet fringes have another challenge in stock for your robot vacuum.

Long fringes of a carpet.

The carpet fringes can wrap around the robot vacuum’s main brush when it drives over the carpet, which causes the brush to block.

The cleaning trip would be over at this point. You would have to rush to free your household helper from it.

Then it could continue cleaning.

But we have a solution for that, too:

Just fold the carpet fringes under your carpet before you start cleaning. This way you are 100% on the safe side.

Special suction attachments are another solution.

We’d recommend these robot vacuums with special attachments for carpets with long fringes.

For example, the „special attachment“ of the Deebot OZMO 950 ensures that the robot vacuum won’t get stuck on carpet fringes.

Deebot OZMO 950 Direct Suction Attachment

The long carpet fringes cannot wrap themselves around it because one cleaning brush is missing.

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is another robot vacuum that is particularly suitable for carpets with fringes.

It’s got two main brushes made of rubber.

The two rubber brushes of the iRobot Roomba i7+.

The main brushes also rotate in opposite directions during cleaning so that long carpet fringes can hardly wrap around the brushes.

If you don’t like these options and the robot vacuum still gets stuck on the carpet fringes, you can also set up a no-go zone around the carpet with fringes. You can easily set it up via the mobile phone app.

Creating a restricted zone in the map for the high pile carpet.

The robot vacuum would then avoid the carpet with fringes during cleaning.

Robotic vacuum cleaners for high-pile carpets

High pile carpets are quite a challenge for robot vacuums.

It has to face the following three difficulties:

Overcoming height

A long pile carpet can be relatively high.

Therefore, your robot vacuum should be able to climb certain heights so it can drive on the high pile carpet.

A robot vacuum drives on a long pile carpet.

In our "Comparison of Robot vacuums for high thresholds", you can see the models that have the best performance in overcoming obstacles. If the edges of your long pile carpet are relatively high, you should read our review.

Strong suction power

A robot vacuum for high pile carpets must have strong suction so it can remove the dirt that’s stuck deep in the carpet.

Extremely high pile carpets

Extremely high pile carpets are even more challenging for robot vacuums (or any other vacuum).

Measuring the height of a carpet with a ruler.

Hardly any vacuum achieves a satisfactory cleaning result if the carpet fibres are very long.

Furthermore, the long carpet fibres may wrap themselves around the robot vacuum’s main brush. Then the brush blocks and the cleaning trip is over.

You would have to rush to free your household helper so it can continue cleaning.

Even the best robot vacuum reaches its limits on extremely high carpets.

Therefore, we recommend setting up a no-go zone (virtual barriers) for the very high pile carpet.

Then the robot vacuum will drive around the carpet, but it’ll still clean the rest of your flat without any problems.

Dyson cordless vacuum - The perfect allrounder for very high carpets

Dyson cordless vacuums convince with one thing in particular: their almost unbelievable suction power.

Especially the Dyson V15 scored very well in our tests. Vacuuming carpets has rarely been so easy and effective!

The Dyson V15 removed a whopping ~100% of dirt on both short pile and high pile carpets in our tests.

So if you have an extremely high-pile carpet at home, the Dyson upright vacuum is the perfect addition to your robot vacuum.

Robot vacuums for carpets: What should I consider when buying?

If you have many carpets in your home, you have to consider a few things when buying.

To avoid making a wrong purchase decision, you should take these criteria into account when buying a robot vacuum for carpets:

  • Requirement: The robot vacuum needs to have an overall good performance on all floor types, not just on carpets.
  • Good cleaning performance on carpets
  • It should have an automatic carpet detection function.
  • The robot vacuum should be able to overcome obstacles well so it can drive on high carpets, too.
  • You should be able to "Define no-go zones" in the mobile phone app.
  • Good price-performance ratio

We’ll talk more about each criterion below.

Your robot vacuum for carpets should be an allrounder

The robot vacuum should perform well in all relevant areas, not just on carpets.

The following categories are essential: good cleaning performance on hard floors, user-friendly mobile app, quiet operation, good battery performance and efficient navigation.

All our "top robot vacuums for carpets" are allrounders that came out with flying colours in our extensive tests.

Our top choices had an excellent performance on carpets, too.

Good performance on carpets (powerful suction)

Most modern robot vacuums hardly reach their limits when cleaning laminate, thanks to their excellent cleaning performance and suction power.

It’s a different story with carpets.

The dirt quickly sinks deep into the carpet and gets stuck in the carpet fibres, so it’s difficult for the robot vacuum to remove it again.

The robot vacuum cleaner must have powerful suction to achieve good cleaning results on carpets.

The robot vacuum cleaner should have a suction power of at least 1500 Pa. (2000 Pa. is even better).

But suction power alone won’t do the job.

A well-designed and high-quality cleaning brush is also a must.

Combination brush of a robot vacuum cleaner.

Then it won’t have problems removing the dirt from the carpet fibres.

Our suction test results on the short pile and long pile carpets are a good overview of the robot vacuums’ performance on carpets.

Automatic carpet detection function (carpet boost)

The modern robot vacuum cleaners usually have several power settings.

The robot vacuum usually cleans in the medium cleaning mode. This works great on hard floors.

Carpets, on the other hand, should be cleaned in turbo mode.

The automatic carpet detection ("carpet boost") ensures that the robot vacuum automatically switches to maximum suction power when driving on the carpet. As soon as the robot vacuum leaves the carpet again, it automatically changes it to the previously set power mode.

The Dreame L10s Ultra, for example, features this function. You can check out our review here.

Your robot vacuum for carpets should be good at overcoming obstacles

Carpets have - sometimes more, sometimes less - a certain height that the robot vacuum has to overcome.

Depending on how high your carpet is, the robot vacuum for carpets should be a good climber.

Our "best robot vacuums for carpets" can overcome heights of 1.9 - 2 cm (~0.7 - 0.8 inches) without any problems.

A conventional carpet is, therefore, no biggie for the little household helper.

An easy set-up of no-go zones in the app

If your robot vacuum can't cope with the long pile carpet and gets stuck all the time, you don't necessarily have to do without the household helper.

The solution lays at hand.

You should create a no-go zone (virtual barrier) for the carpet.

Then the robot vacuum avoids the carpet during daily cleaning and won’t get stuck.

But it still cleans the rest of your flat.

So the robot vacuum can still be of excellent service and take a massive burden off your shoulders.

The Dustbin - the bigger, the better

Carpets magically attract dirt. There’s no way around that.

Therefore, your little household helper must clean the carpet almost daily. But that also means that the mobile dustbin is quickly full.

You should make sure that the dust container is as large as possible when buying one. Then you won’t have to empty the container all the time.

Price-Performance Ratio

Last but not least, the price - or rather the price-performance ratio - plays an important role.

Good robot vacuums are pretty much unaffordable, right? No! That’s a thing of the past.

You can get high quality for much less money these days.

You’ll get your money’s worth with our test winner (Deebot OZMO 950). It’s got a top performance at a great price.

Best Robot Vacuums for Carpets in the UK - Conclusion

Most modern robot vacuums handle hard floors very well. But that changes when it comes to carpets.

That's why we've put together our top robot vacuum cleaners for carpets.

All models are excellent robot vacuums that achieved remarkable results in our extensive tests.

Their unique features make them particularly suitable for households with carpets, too.

You can rely on the services of a robot vacuum and benefit from the luxury of automated floor cleaning, even if you have a lot of carpets at home.

Additional information:

  • Are Eufy vacuum cleaners suitable for use on carpets?


    Eufy robot vacuums are among the cheaper models. The price is relatively low, and their performance also leaves a lot to be desired.

    Eufy's robot vacuums work well on hard floors.

    But when it comes to carpets, you’ll need a powerful suction. Eufy’s suction power is just not strong enough (yet).

    Our top choices have a much better performance on carpets, which is why you should go with one of our top 4 "Robot vacuums for carpets" instead.

  • How suitable is the Dyson robot vacuum for carpets?


    Dyson recently launched the Dyson 360 Heurist, the second generation of its robot vacuums.

    It scored well in our test and had some excellent features in stock.

    Its extremely high suction power (an actual vacuum motor is built-in) is one of these features, especially for carpets.

    Unfortunately, the Dyson 360 Heurist also revealed numerous weaknesses in our test. Therefore, we can’t give it a purchase recommendation (for use on carpets).

  • Do Robot vacuums have problems with pet hair on carpets?


    Pet hairs are very light.

    Therefore, they can’t "sink" into the carpet like sand, for example.

    That’s why robot vacuums (with sufficient suction power) won’t have problems removing pet hair from carpets.

    Good news for pet owners!

  • Can you buy Robot Vacuums for Carpets on Amazon in the UK?


    Yes, Amazon UK stocks a wide range of robotic vacuum clears.

Ilia

Robot vacuum cleaners are my passion. These little helpers make cleaning our homes so much easier. That's why it's my personal concern to recommend only the most outstanding products and the best tips and tricks to you. Then you can devote your valuable time to the finer things in life - and as a rule, floor cleaning is not one of them.

Why trust us?

> 150 products tested

3,528 hours of research

6 Smart Home Experts

Smart Home Fox is represented throughout Europe

> 1 million written words

> 5 million satisfied readers per year

This might also interest you...

    YES, PLEASE! >
    No, continue

    We have an affiliate relationship with some manufacturers, where we receive a commission on sales if you click over from our site. This does not affect the purchasing price. In contrast: By using our discount codes, you'll get the best deal possible.