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

Reviewing and comparing the best robot vacuum cleaners for high thresholds (2024)

Robot vacuums for thresholds in comparison

Last updated: 31.12.2023 Reading time: 16 Min.

A robot vacuum makes household cleaning much more manageable. However, high thresholds can thwart these plans. Doorsteps of 2 to 3 cm (0.8 - 1.2 inches) height are quite common, especially in old flats.

Not all robotic vacuum cleaners can overcome such heights easily.

But don't worry: there are many good robot vacuums in the UK that can overcome high doorsteps.

In this review, you will find out which models do well, and we’ll also tell you what you can do if the doorstep is too high for your robot vacuum.

Robot vacuum cleaner driving over a door threshold.

What you’ll see on this page:

  • The best robot vacuums for high thresholds in comparison: Our top 5 models
  • How do robotic vacuum cleaners cope with high thresholds?
  • Robot vacuum threshold ramp - the solution when doorsteps are too high (> 2.3 cm - 9 inches)
  • Purchase Advice: What should I consider when buying a robot vacuum for high doorsteps?
  • Our Conclusion

Best robot vacuums for thresholds in the UK in 2023:

  • Our favourite
    Deebot T20 Omni
    Price from £ 699 £ (799 )
    An exceptionally powerful robot vacuum with impressive climbing capabilities.
    Deebot T20 Omni
    An exceptionally powerful robot vacuum with impressive climbing capabilities.
    Price from £ 699 (£ 799 )
  • Best mopping ability
    L10s Ultra
    Price from £ 549
    This robot vacuum-mop combo has everything you need from a little household helper!
    "Very good price-performance ratio compared to similar competitor products."
    L10s Ultra
    This robot vacuum-mop combo has everything you need from a little household helper!
    "Very good price-performance ratio compared to similar competitor products."
    Price from £ 549
  • Automatic obstacle avoidance
    Deebot X1 OMNI
    Price from £ 599 £ (699 )
    Luxury Robot Vacuum-Mop Hybrid (designed by Jacob Jensen)
    "Impressive battery life and quiet operation, though it's priced in the higher range."
    Deebot X1 OMNI
    Luxury Robot Vacuum-Mop Hybrid (designed by Jacob Jensen)
    "Impressive battery life and quiet operation, though it's priced in the higher range."
    Price from £ 599 (£ 699 )
  • Best value for money
    Q7 Max
    Price from £ 570.40 £ (688.24 )
    Roborock quality at an affordable price point.
    Q7 Max
    Roborock quality at an affordable price point.
    Price from £ 570.40 (£ 688.24 )
  • Bagless emptying station
    S8 Pro Ultra
    Price from £ 1,349.77 £ (1,430.55 )
    Experience top-tier cleaning with the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, boasting the standout Ultra Station.
    S8 Pro Ultra
    Experience top-tier cleaning with the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, boasting the standout Ultra Station.
    Price from £ 1,349.77 (£ 1,430.55 )

Best alternatives

  • Good Value 💰
    Vac 2 Pro
    Price from £ 159.99 £ (189.99 )
    This affordably priced robot vacuum offers good mopping capabilities along with a range of other useful features.
    Vac 2 Pro
    This affordably priced robot vacuum offers good mopping capabilities along with a range of other useful features.
    Price from £ 159.99 (£ 189.99 )

Find out more about our favorites now

Our favourite

Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni

An exceptionally powerful robot vacuum with impressive climbing capabilities.

The Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni excels at overcoming obstacles up to 2.1 - 2.2 cm. It stands out with real innovations like hot water mop washing technology and an auto-mop lifting function.

The Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni stands out as an exceptional climber in the world of robot vacuums.

This robot skillfully tackles obstacles up to 2.2 cm high in our tests. 

Overcoming obstacles with the Deebot T20 Omni
Image © Smart Home Fox

This capability ensures it can easily handle high carpets and door thresholds, making it a versatile choice for different home layouts.

This model is packed with innovative features, many of which are firsts for Ecovacs. 🥇

A particularly impressive feature is the hot water mop washing technology. 

During cleaning, the two mops are washed with hot water at 55 degrees, ensuring not just a surface clean but a deep and effective one.

Mop washing with hot water
Image © Ecovacs

Another groundbreaking feature is the auto-mop lifting function, new to Ecovacs. 

The mops can lift up to 4 mm when the vacuum moves over a carpet. 

Auto mop lifting function of the Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni
Image © Ecovacs

This allows for a seamless transition from hard floors to carpets in one cleaning cycle. 🧹

With an impressive suction power of 6000 Pascal, the Deebot T20 Omni doesn't just clean; it excels on both hard floors and carpets. 

To make things even easier, it comes with an integrated voice assistant, "YIKO".

It recognises a variety of voice commands, making the control of the device a breeze.

The all-in-one Omni station is the cherry on top, automating multiple cleaning tasks, saving you time and effort. 

However, it's not all perfect: 

  • The size of the Omni station is quite large
  • There are a few bugs in the mobile app
  • The mobile dust container is on the smaller side.

In summary, the Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni is a comprehensive, high-performing package. 

It's not just a robot that cleans – with its climbing ability and range of innovative features, it's a top contender in the robot vacuum market.

Advantages

Effective mopping with 6000 Pa suction power

Mops lift for efficient obstacle navigation

Low-maintenance rubber brush

Quiet operation

Mops cleaned with hot water

Mops dried with hot air

Integrated YIKO voice assistant

Durable rechargeable battery

Includes a suction station

Disadvantages

Limited capacity of mobile dust container

Lacks a built-in mobile water tank

Higher water usage

App experiences minor glitches

Best mopping ability

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

Automatic obstacle avoidance

Ecovacs Deebot X1 OMNI

Luxury Robot Vacuum-Mop Hybrid (designed by Jacob Jensen)

Numerous premium features leave nothing to be desired with this Ecovacs model. 🎉

At first glance, you immediately notice the robot’s unique and attractive design. 👀 

And this is no coincidence because Jacob Jensen (famous Danish industrial design studio) is responsible for its look.

Top features of the Deebot X1 OMNI

But it's not just the look of the premium vacuum mopping robot that is impressive. The Ecovacs Deebot X1 OMNI is packed with top features:

  • Emptying station
  • Rotating mopping pads
  • Washing station for the mop cloths 
  • Obstacle detection
  • Integrated voice assistant ("Ok Yiko")
  • …and more!

However, the numerous functions come at a price: this luxury robot is certainly not for bargain hunters... 💸

Mopping ability

The Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni has many highlights. One of them is its mopping capabilities. 💧

Let’s have a look at the role the station plays in the cleaning process.

After a predetermined interval (10, 15 or 25 minutes), the two mopping pads are wrung out and rinsed at the station.

The Ecovacs Deebot X1 OMNI clean and dirty water tanks are held up.

The benefit here is that your floors are always cleaned with freshly rinsed mops. The collected dirt ends up in the dirty water tank (and not on your floors).

Furthermore, the mobile water tank is refilled at the multifunction station.

So you are spared this (annoying) task as well.

The two mopping pads rotate in opposite directions, creating a "scrubbing effect". This results in a more thorough cleaning of your home. 🧼

And don't forget: when the job is done, the two pads are blown dry at the station (with hot air). 🍃

The two Ecovacs Deebot X1 OMNI mopping pads are seen from below.

All these functions together mean that the wet floor cleaning process runs almost completely independently, so you can sit back and relax. 🏖️

And the mopping performance also impressed us. 👇 

(Even if stubborn, dried-in stains take a bit more effort).

The combination of an impressive mopping ability and a huge range of other premium features makes the Deebot X1 a compelling option.

Although that’s only if you have the necessary funds: because the price will set you back a bit... 💸

Check Amazon*

Advantages:

Greatly improved mopping ability

Mopping pads are automatically wrung out, rinsed and dried at the station

Water tank is refilled automatically

Auto-empty station

Elegant design by Jacob Jensen

Gently skirts furniture (hardly any collisions)

Obstacle detection (also of flat objects)

Can detect objects even in poor lighting conditions

Floor cleaning (vacuuming and mopping) is mostly automatic

Integrated voice assistant ("Ok Yiko")

Quick mapping

Security features (surveillance camera)

2-way video calls possible

Quiet

Mobile phone app with many functions

Disadvantages:

Very expensive

Emptying station uses disposable bags

Station is beautifully designed, but quite large (not everyone's cup of tea)

AIVI 3D obstacle detection sometimes causes difficulties with navigation

Individual features are sometimes not perfectly coordinated

App has minor bugs

Best value for money

Roborock Q7 Max

Roborock quality at an affordable price point.

Mid-range series of Roborock.

The most impressive thing about the Robrock Q7 Max+ is the value for money.

Unnecessary “bells and whistles” and some premium functions have deliberately been dispensed with to keep the purchase price low.

Some weaknesses, like the mopping capabilities, are clearly made up for by its many strengths (suction power, emptying station, navigation, app).

This robot vacuum offers the usual "Roborock quality". At the same time, sensible selective cutbacks ensure a very attractive price. 💰

For all Roborock fans who are looking for an absolutely reliable and at the same time affordable robot vacuum (with emptying station), the Q7 Max+ is a good choice. 💃 

Check Amazon*

Bagless emptying station

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

Best alternatives

Good Value 💰
Yeedi
Vac 2 Pro
Price from   £ 159.99 £ (189.99 )

Yeedi Vac 2 Pro

This affordably priced robot vacuum offers good mopping capabilities along with a range of other useful features.

With vibrating mopping plates and a 3D-Laser for obstacle detection, the Yeedi Vac 2 Pro provides a diverse range of features at a reasonable price point.

At a reasonable price, the Yeedi Vac 2 Pro offers high quality and a variety of features: 

The vibrating mop feature ensures a great mopping performance.

Laminate:

Yeedi Vac 2 Pro mops the laminated floor.

Tiled:

Yeedi Vac 2 Pro mops a tiled floor.

3D Laser for obstacle detection:

The Yeedi Vac 2 Pro navigates around obstacles.
Image © Smart Home Fox
The Yeedi Vac 2 Pro navigates around obstacles.
Image © Smart Home Fox

At the same time, this robot vacuum mop combo is reasonably priced. 

If you're looking for a good and affordable vacuum robot while not missing out on any luxury-features, the Yeddi Vac 2 Pro could be the right choice for you. 👀

Buy on Amazon*

Advantages

Self-emptying robot vacuum with suction station

Flat design

Vibrating mop feature

Excellent value for money

Relatively quiet operation

Durable battery life

Good cleaning performance

Disadvantages

Inadequate obstacle detection in tests

Limited to one map storage per floor

Simplistic map details

Flaws in VSLAM navigation

Available only in white color

Uses disposable bags in suction station

How do robotic vacuum cleaners cope with high doorsteps?

The manufacturers realised that this problem often occurs. Thus, they redesigned the latest robotic vacuum cleaners so they can handle high doorsteps better.

They put rollers on the bottom side of the robot vacuum.

Close-up of the rollers of a robot vacuum

With these special rollers, modern robot vacuums can easily overcome typical door thresholds.

But even these rollers don’t work wonders...

Doorstep / Threshold Ramps - the solution when doorsteps are too high (> 2.3 cm / 9 inches))

Even the greatest "climber" among the robot vacuums can’t overcome a door threshold of approx. 2.3 - 2.4 cm (~ 0.9 inches).

But what if your doorsteps are higher than that?

Some flats in old buildings have extremely high thresholds (sometimes 2.5 - 3 cm (1 - 1.2 inches) and higher).

That’s not the end of the world. There’s a solution to this problem: A special robot vacuum doorstep / threshold ramp.

A robot vacuum drives over a threshold ramp for vacuum robots into the next room.

You can build a doorstep ramp yourself - depending on your craftsmanship - or just buy one online* on Amazon UK.

PS: This will also make your flat "barrier-free" and thus wheelchair-, walker- or pram-friendly. High thresholds also won’t be typical "tripping hazards" anymore. That ensures more safety in your home.

There are a few features to consider when choosing a robot vacuum doorstep ramp:

  • You have the choice between a "fixed" ramp construction or a ramp that you can put down shortly before the vacuum starts cleaning and remove it afterwards.
  • Make sure that the ramp matches the colour of your floor.
  • If you have very high door thresholds, the ramp should have the smallest possible inclination (the ramp must be longer). The robot vacuum may not be able to drive up the ramp if it’s very steep.
  • If it’s a fixed ramp construction, you have to pay attention that the ramp on the side where the door opens can’t be higher than the threshold. Otherwise, you won’t be able to open the door.
  • With very high thresholds (> 3 cm), you may need a ramp from both sides. The robotic vacuum may not descend the threshold because it sees it like a precipice.
A small tip: You can avoid that by covering the crash sensors with opaque adhesive tape. But be careful: you can’t have "real" precipices (e.g. stairs) in your home then. That wouldn’t end well for your household helper.

Solution No. 1: Buy a robot vacuum doorstep / threshold ramp

Not all people are skilled craftsmen and can build a robot vacuum doorstep ramp themselves.

It’s not necessary.

You can buy doorstep ramps in all shapes and colours on Amazon in the UK.

Rubber ramp

You can conveniently purchase a corresponding rubber ramp on the Internet (buy here from Amazon* UK).

Robot Vacuum thresholds ramps made of rubber lie in front of a high threshold.

Advantages:

  • Very slip-resistant. You won’t have to nail the rubber ramp to the floor or screw it down in any other way.
  • Flexibility. You can leave the ramp permanently in place or put it away after each cleaning.
  • Low wear and tear and, therefore, long-lasting

Disadvantages:

  • Rubber optics may not appeal to everyone’s taste

Rubber Threshold Ramp*

Aluminium ramp:

You can also buy metal ramps online* for little money on Amazon UK.

But you have to screw these to the floor.

If you don’t want to do that, you can also use self-adhesive ramps.

Self-adhesive ramps for door thresholds.

These ramps are available in different colours. You’ll find a matching style for sure.

Advantages:

  • Cheap
  • No craftsmanship skills required

Disadvantages:

  • Visually not appealing

Rubber Threshold Ramp*

Special robot vacuum doorstep ramp made of wood (customised)

If you want a high-quality ramp, you can also buy a customised robot vacuum doorstep ramp made of wood.

Robotic vacuum cleaner Doorstep ramp made of different types of wood.

You can choose the wood type and colour.

The ramps are manufactured in Germany according to your needs and are of very high quality.

Advantages:

  • Visually not appealingIndividual customisation. They will adjust the ramp according to your living situation.
  • Very high-quality workmanship
  • Regional and sustainable manufacturing
  • Beautiful look (matching your floor)

Disadvantages:

  • Quite Expensive

Solution No. 2: Build your own robot vacuum doorstep ramp

If you are good at handicrafts, you can build a robot vacuum doorstep ramp yourself.

Wood is very suitable because you can buy it in almost every DIY store for little money and it looks very nice. You can also choose the best (colour-wise) matching type of wood (depending on your floor’s colour and condition).

Please measure the door threshold’s height and width in advance.

Then you can cut the wood to the appropriate length/height and sand it down.

Please make sure that the angle of inclination of your ramp is not too high. Otherwise, your robot vacuum will have a hard time driving onto the ramp.

Once you built the ramp, you can apply a wood preservative. That’ll keep the wood in good condition for as long as possible. It won’t wear out too quickly either.

Purchase advice: What should I consider when buying a robot vacuum for thresholds?

A robot vacuum’s threshold overcomming isn’t the only criterion

If you buy a robot vac only because it has the "best climbing performance", you exclude many excellent models from the beginning.

Ultimately, however, the robot vacuum’s main task is to clean your home in the best way possible.

So if you focus too much on just one criterion, you may have to go for a model with a bad price-performance ratio or make unnecessary compromises.

If your favourite robotic vacuum cleaner has problems overcoming thresholds, you can use a door threshold ramp (buy it or build it). That’ll solve the problem once and for all.

Measure your doorstep beforehand

You should measure the threshold precisely with a conventional ruler before buying.

Measuring the door threshold with a ruler.

A sense of proportion won’t do the job. Please be very precise. Differences in just a few millimetres can be decisive.

Are the door thresholds rounded, or do they have a 90-degree edge?

We always test a robot vacuums on 90-degree edges. That way, we can maintain the necessary objectivity in our tests.

But many doorsteps have rounded edges due to wear.

A robot vacuum’s climbing performance may improve by 1-2 millimetres with rounded edges.

Just give it a try!

You've already chosen a model, but you're not 100% sure if the robot vac can handle high doorsteps?

That’s our advice: Just give it a try!

Every living situation is different. Sometimes robot vacuums simply cope better with some doorsteps than others because they are round or for other reasons.

Best Robot vacuums for high thresholds in the UK - Our Conclusion

High doorsteps can be a show-stopper for your robot vacuum.

The robotic vacuum cleaner simply stops if it can’t cross a threshold, and you’ll have to carry it to the next room.

That’s not what we’d call home automation.

Fortunately, manufacturers have recognised this problem. There are excellent robot vacuum cleaners for high doorsteps of up to 2.3 cm (9 inches) in the UK these days. Our selection of the best robot vacuums for thresholds gives you a good overview of the models.

If you live in an older flat, it’s quite common that the doorsteps are higher than 3 cm (1.2 inches). Not even the best "climbing master" among the robot vacuums can cope with that.

But don't worry. You don't have to do without a cleaning robot.

With "robot vacuum" doorstep / threshold ramps, you make your home accessible for the robot, so it can move effortlessly from room to room.

Read more

  • Can a robot vacuum overcome high doorsteps?


    Yes, some robot vacuums can easily overcome thresholds of up to 2.3 - 2.4 cm.

  • I live in an old building and have very high doorsteps. Do I have to do without a robot vacuum?


    Not at all. Some robot vacuum models can easily overcome thresholds of up to 2.3 - 2.4 cm. This "climbing performance" should be more than sufficient for most old flats.

  • What is the maximum height of a doorstep that a robot vacuum can overcome?


    Even the "climbing masters" among the robot vacuums can’t cope with doorsteps higher than 2.3 - 2.4 cm.

  • I live in an old building, and my doorsteps are impossible for a robot vacuum. However, I don't want to do without it either. What can I do?


    If your door thresholds are higher than 2.3 - 2.4 cm, the robot vacuum usually can’t overcome these thresholds. However, you don’t have to do without a robot vacuum. A special doorstep ramp for robot vacuums can help. You can buy it online or in a specialist shop or build it yourself if you’re a skilled craftsman.

  • What is the best robot vacuum for thresholds?


    The “climbing champ” of robot vacuums is the Qihoo 360 S7 at the moment. In our tests, it overcame a height of 2.3 to 2.4 cm.

  • How well do the iRobot Roomba robot vacuums cope with high doorsteps? How high can the Roomba models climb?


    The iRobot Roomba i7 (+) can overcome thresholds with a height of 1.9 cm. The Roomba s9 (+) had an obstacle clearance of 2 cm in our tests.

  • Where can I buy a robot vacuum doorstep ramp?


    You can easily buy a robot vacuum doorstep ramp on the Internet.

  • Is my robot vacuum’s „climbing performance“ lower with the water tank attached?


    Yes, we experienced this with some models.

    If you attach the water tank, some cleaning robots’ climbing performance decreases by a few mm.

  • Do different floor types play a role in overcoming obstacles?


    The climbing performance of a device might be slightly lower if it’s on a soft carpet.

    However, the difference is in the millimetre range and is no big deal.

  • Can you buy a robot vacuum for high thresholds on Amazon in the UK?


    Yes, there are various purchasing options available to you on Amazon in the UK.

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.

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