The 5 Best Robot Vacuums for Hardwood Floors of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Final Verdict

Our top pick among the best vacuums for hardwood floors is the iRobot Roomba 694. iRobot is known as a top choice when it comes to robotic vacuums—but this particular Roomba stands out because it’s as effective on carpets as it is on hardwood floors, as evidenced by all the sand, hair, and debris it sucked up.

Our Testing Process

To determine which robot vacuums are the best for hardwood floors, we acquired 50 robot vacuums and tested them in our Lab before sending them home for long-term use in real-world conditions. 

We began our Lab tests by assessing the setup of each robot vacuum, following the instructions for assembly and connecting to the WiFi to test the app function (when applicable). We evaluated the robot vacuum's effectiveness at both vacuuming and mopping (when applicable). To test each model’s vacuum capabilities, we dispersed a pinch of wig hair, a tablespoon of Cheerios, and a tablespoon of sand onto a hard floor, and recorded how much of the mess each vacuum was able to clean in two minutes.

For the mop-combo vacuums, we spilled a tablespoon of coffee and a drizzle of sticky syrup on the hard floor and evaluated how well it cleaned the mess in two minutes. During these tests, we also used a decibel meter to measure the noise level of each robot vacuum while running it in a small room with the door closed.

We made sure to try out all available features on each vacuum—including smart mapping, voice command, object avoidance, and more—and evaluated how intuitive they were to use and whether they work as advertised. To test each vacuum’s maneuverability, or its ability to get around obstacles and transition across different floor types, we set up a testing area with a medium-pile rug, couch, coffee table, and dining table. We then ran the robot vacuum and took note of how well it fits under furniture, navigated around chair and table legs, and transitioned from a carpeted surface to a non-carpeted one. For robot vacuums with object avoidance, we placed chocolate pudding (to simulate pet waste) in the vacuum’s path to see whether it avoids it or not. We repeated this test with a USB cable and a baby sock. 

To test the ease of emptying, we prepared each vacuum for the next use, including switching out the bag, dumping out the debris in the dustbin, swapping out mop pads, or, for self-emptying vacuums—such as the Roborock S8 and the Ecovacs Deebot T9+—directing the product to empty itself. We then received the price of each robot vacuum and scored its overall value, taking into account its performance in the above tests. 

We also tested the robot vacuums in real-world conditions to evaluate their effectiveness and performance outside the Lab. Throughout our real-world testing, we assessed each robot vacuum’s ease of setup, object avoidance, and additional features like voice commands, spot cleaning, scheduling, and mopping. After this assessment, we evaluated whether the device improved our regular cleaning routine. 

How to Shop for Robot Vacuums for Hardwood Like a Pro

Floor Compatibility

Like with other vacuums, suction power is key when considering robot vacuums for hardwood floors. Michelle Jones, associate brand marketing director of Ecovacs Americas, recommends a suction power of at least 3,000 Pa—though anything above 4,000 Pa is even better for collecting every last particle from your floors. During our testing, we were especially impressed with the power of the Roborock S8, which boasts 6,000 Pa of suction power. 

To reduce the risk of scratching your hardwood floors, evaluate your robot vacuum’s brush design. Alvin Pullins, cleaning expert and CEO/founder of Nerd in the House, says to avoid robot vacuums with a brush roll designed for carpet. “These brushes can scratch or damage hardwood floors,” he says. “Specifically, look for models with rubber brush rolls, or no brush rolls at all.”

If you want to take even more tasks off your to-do list, opt for a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop. “It’s not enough to sweep,” Jones says. “Your robot cleaner needs to mop, too,” Robot vacuums with mopping capabilities have onboard sensors to detect floor texture and behave accordingly, so your carpets stay dry while hard floors get a thorough cleaning. We liked the Ecovacs Deebot T9+, which offers the best of both worlds for cleaning.

Features

Robot vacuums minimize the time you have to spend cleaning your floors—and additional features like mapping capabilities, object avoidance, and self-emptying further streamline the task. 

Strong mapping capabilities and reliable object avoidance are features to look for in a robot vacuum, according to Jones. “No one wants to babysit their robot, [and] with reliable object avoidance capabilities you don't have to,” she says. Some models, like the iRobot Roomba j7+, can even detect and avoid pet messes. 

Any features that keep things truly hands-free are also important. “Robotic vacuum cleaners are supposed to take the stress and work out of daily chores, leaving no tasks behind for the humans,” Jones says. “Shoppers should look for automatic empty/refill stations and features to ensure users get optimal benefits from their cleaners for long periods of time (30–60+ days).” We especially loved the Roborock S8 for its reliable self-emptying and self-cleaning functionalities, which made the task of cleaning floors almost entirely automated. 

Wi-Fi Connectivity

You can control most robotic vacuums with the buttons on the device, but if you want to control it remotely, choose a robotic vacuum that connects to Wi-Fi via an app or smart assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. “Robotic vacuum cleaners that are smart home compatible and have interactive features make cleaning the house an even easier task than ever before,” says Jones.

All of our picks, including favorites like the iRobot Roomba 694 and Black & Decker RoboSeries, have compatible apps that allow you to create schedules, power on, or set cleaning zones right from your phone.

Noise

While traditional vacuums can be loud and obnoxious, most of the robot vacuums on our list make minimal noise. During our testing, we were particularly impressed by the noise level of the Ecovacs Deebot T9+—it was so inconspicuous that we could barely hear it. When considering noise level, look at the decibel count; Pullins recommends robot vacs with a noise level of 60 decibels or lower.

Battery Life

Depending on the size of your space and the dirt on the floor, some of these vacuums might be able to get through your entire house on a single charge. “You should look for models with a battery life of at least 90 minutes to ensure that it can clean your entire home on a single charge,” says Pullins. Robot vacuums with self-docking capabilities make it even easier to get them ready for the next time you clean the house.

Price

It’s understandable if you have sticker shock from some of the prices of these robot vacuums. These cleaners are an investment, which is why Pullins recommends taking stock of your lifestyle and cleaning needs before committing to a purchase. “If you have pets, children, or allergies, a robot vacuum can be a valuable investment,” he says. 

Pullins says to consider the features you need and the ones you don’t. “Some features like Wi-Fi connectivity and voice control can add to the cost,” he says, “But if you don't need these features, you can save money by opting for a more basic model.” That’s why we love the budget-friendly Black & Decker RoboSeries Robot Vacuum with Maintenance Kit, which has all the tools you need without the potentially price-increasing add-ons.

More Robot Vacuums for Hardwood Floors to Consider

Shark AI Ultra Robot Vacuum: This vacuum was effective on hardwood and carpeted surfaces and comes with a self-emptying function. However, there were some problems getting it docked on the carpet—we had to do it manually. Then there was the issue of it eating a sock while it worked, which doesn’t bode well for any other small obstructions.  

Samsung Jet Bot AI+ Robot Vacuum: This smart vacuum did a good job navigating around small and large objects alike, thanks to its 3D camera and sensors that can identify objects and avoid them in real-time. However, it’s one of the most expensive out of all the vacuum cleaners we tested, so it’s not suited to most budgets.

Questions You Might Ask 

Are robot mops and vacuums safe for hardwood floors?

When it comes to any mop, you don't want to allow too much moisture to sit on unsealed hardwood floors. If a robot mop is meant for hardwood floors, know that it will likely dispense just enough moisture—not to mention wipe it up—so that you don’t have to worry about seepage.

As for robot vacuums, they are “completely fine to use on hardwood floors,” says Forrest McCall, co-owner of the home improvement blog Mama Needs a Project. “These vacuums are constructed to ensure your floor is safe, with rubber components to avoid scratching your floors.”

Are robot vacuums better for hardwood floors or carpet?

All the vacuums that made our best robot vacuums for hardwood floors list also do well on carpet, too—the iRobot Roomba 694 even sucked sand out of the carpet, which one might consider a feat for any vacuum. Still, the real trouble might come with the transition over the edge of an area rug to carpet—if it’s thick enough, you might have to give your robot vacuum a little nudge to keep on keeping on.

How do you prevent a robot vacuum from getting stuck?

The best way to do this is to clear the floor of any obstacles. This doesn’t mean that you should vacuum the floor with an upright vacuum first; it just means you should remove anything that might get caught up in the wheels of the robot vacuum, like socks, small toys, or cords. Furniture is fine, as the best robot vacuums are skilled enough to scoot around the couch and chair legs.

A robot vacuum might stop in its tracks with an error message if it gets caught on something—this is the tricky part of having a vacuum that you don’t control with your own hands. However, as you get to know your robot vacuum and as your robot vacuum gets to know your space, you might find that it has an easier time navigating the floor to clean it.

“If you have any areas where your vacuum tends to get stuck, you can surround the area with a small barrier,” says McCall. “The vacuum will avoid this area using the sensors to detect the barrier.”

Take Our Word for It

Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance home and garden writer. She lives in Staten Island, NY, with her husband and their dog, the latter of whom makes maintaining clean floors a bit of a challenge. To compile this list, she dug into the insights of Real Simple’s in-house testing team to see what they had to say about a variety of robotic vacuums from top brands based on their setup, effectiveness, noise level, features, maneuverability, ease of emptying, and overall value. For expert advice on what to know about shopping for a robotic vacuum for hardwood floors, she consulted Forrest McCall, co-owner of the home improvement blog Mama Needs a Project, Alvin Pullins, cleaning expert and CEO/ founder of Nerd in the House, and Michelle Jones, associate brand marketing director of Ecovacs Americas.

What Is Real Simple Selects?

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team—put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn't an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.

Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.