Best Robot Vacuum for Multiple Surfaces
As our lives become ever busier with work, family, and other commitments, having a robot vacuum is a convenient way of ensuring a healthy home environment. Pulling out furniture and cleaning under beds or sofas can be back-breaking work, which isn’t very appealing after a long day in the office or while unwinding at the weekends. Thankfully, robot vacuums are here to help you save precious time spent on chores. These clever devices will clean so you can spend your time on the things that matter.
Since most homes have multiple surfaces, though, you’ll need to choose a robot vacuum that can tackle them all. In this article, we take a look at some of the best-selling multi-surface robot vacuums currently on the market.
- Great for all surfaces
- Easily pulls out hair
- Can memorize up to 10 maps
- Relatively quiet
- Rubber brushes ideal for operating on multiple surfaces
- Self emptying
- Large wheels for easy transition over multiple floors
- Relatively quiet
- 100 min battery life
- Remote control
- Auto recharge
- Extra thin design which helps easily clean under furniture
- Easily moves across rugs
- 3 step cleaning system
- Great for low budgets
- 120 min battery life
- Obstacle detection
- Connects to Alexa and Google Home
- Highly efficient
- Suitable for hard floors and carpets
- Dual spinning sweeper brush
- Runs for 130 minutes
- HEPA filter helps keep the air clean
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Home
- Suitable for hard floors and carpets
- Scheduled cleaning
- Intelligent cleaning path
- App compatible
- Battery life is 120 minutes
- Easy set up
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is pricey, but it’s also one of the top robot vacuums on the market and has one of the best navigation systems out there. It’ll memorize your home in its first few runs and then can be left to independently roam and clean. This particular model can store up to 10 smart maps which is big enough for even the largest of homes. It can also be pre-programmed to clean at specific times, so you can always return to a just-cleaned house.
With dual multi-surface rubber brushes that instantly adjust and flex, this robot vacuum cleaner will stay in contact with carpets and floors while cleaning. Plus, the iRobot Roomba i7+ is a great vacuum for pet hair, as the two counter-rotating rollers are ideal for pulling out unwanted hair from rugs and are also resistant to tangled hair.
It can be linked up with the dedicated Roomba app, too, so you can select which rooms it cleans when you’re not at home. It is relatively quiet while in operation, meaning that you don’t have to worry about being disturbed whilst relaxing or while the children are napping.
The iRobot Roomba i7+ works well on hard floors and dark colored surfaces and carpets. This is quite important as some of the other models have sensors that will not work on deeper colors. It’s therefore the ideal model if your home has dark or black floors and carpets.
Last but not least, the iRobot Roomba i7+ is one of the few robot vacuums which has a self-emptying feature. This means that it doesn’t need regular attention and you can simply forget about it for weeks at a time. When the vacuum gets full, it returns to the dock and empties itself before returning to where it left off. Overall, this robot vacuum is incredibly convenient if you have a busy lifestyle.
Pros
- Great for all surfaces
- Easily pulls out hair
- Can memorize up to 10 maps
- Relatively quiet
- Rubber brushes ideal for operating on multiple surfaces
- Self-emptying
Cons
- Upper end of the price scale
This Eufy Robovac 15c features upgraded super-thin design that makes it handy for getting into small places. Its design makes it especially efficient at cleaning under low furniture, so you no longer have to pull out the sofa to vacuum underneath it.
The eufy [BoostIQ] RoboVac is suitable for use on multiple surfaces, from hardwood floors and low to medium pile carpets, although it will struggle with heavy pile carpets. This may be a negative if you like lush, fluffy carpets underfoot.
In terms of run time, the battery delivers around 100 minutes of powerful suction. This is shorter than some other models, but it automatically returns to the base when the power is low to recharge. It is also relatively quiet to operate, which is ideal if you wish for it to clean at night while you are sleeping or while you are working from home in the day.
The advanced infrared sensor prevents this robot vacuum from bumping into human and non-human obstacles – keeping pets and small children safe. The large wheels also help it glide easily over door ledges and rugs, so it won’t get stuck while on its travels. The Eufy Robovac 15c comes with with a remote control for easy control and use. The eufy app is also extremely user friendly and simple to operate, so you can take charge of your vacuuming wherever you are.
Pros
- Large wheels for easy transition over multiple floors
- Relatively quiet
- 100 min battery life
- Remote control
- Auto-recharge
- Extra thin design which helps easily clean under furniture
Cons
- Battery life less than similar models
- May struggle with heavier pile carpets
This self-charging robot by Deebot is an ideal addition to your busy household. It features a 3-step cleaning system, 4 different operational modes, and it connects to both Alexa and Google Home for optimum efficiency.
This smart robot vacuum has a 2-hour battery life and works very well on hardwood floors as well as low pile carpets. It’s capable of detecting obstacles and edges, so it shouldn’t bang into objects or fall down the stairs. As an added benefit, the price is on the lower end of the scale, too, so it is an excellent choice when shopping on a budget.
With regard to surfaces, the Ecovacs Deebot N79S is capable of moving across rugs easily, making it hassle free to let loose while you put your feet up and relax. It struggles, though, with very thick carpets, and the mapping system isn’t as sophisticated as some other robot vacuums so it can sometimes lose its way.
If you’re after a vacuum to help with allergies, the specialized filtration system picks up any lightweight particles such as fine hairs and dust which are thrown up into the air, thus helping to reduce potential allergens. On the downside, this robot vacuum is reportedly a little loud while in operation. Therefore, you should keep this in mind if you often spend a lot of time at home.
Pros
- Easily moves across rugs
- 3 step cleaning system
- Great for low budgets
- 120 min battery life
- Obstacle detection
- Connects to Alexa and Google Home
Cons
- Can be too loud for some
- Sometimes gets lost
- Not suitable for thick carpets
This smart robot vacuum is budget friendly and highly-efficient at cleaning multiple surfaces. The sophisticated design features a built-in gyroscope and a clever mapping system which helps the robot find its way around your home and back to its base.
Offering multi-room navigation, this robot vacuum can be pre-scheduled to run on certain days and times as desired, but it can also be used in “single room” mode if you just want it to tackle the dining room after breakfast rather than your whole home.
The dual spinning sweeper brush, squeegee, and powerful suction lifts debris and dust with ease. It also adjusts and adapts to different surfaces, making it excellent for use on both hard floors and light carpets. Furthermore, the built-in HEPA filter keeps the air pure and dust-free, which is especially helpful if you or a family member suffers from allergies.
The battery life enables the smart robot vacuum to run for around 130 minutes, before returning to the dock for self-charge. This run time is more than sufficient for cleaning large areas, even if they are particularly dirty. Like other models we have seen, the smart robot vacuum is fully compatible with Alexa so you can easily add this appliance into your smart home system. This can initially be a little complicated to set up, though, so the accompanying manual is a must read to get started.
Pros
- Highly efficient
- Suitable for hard floors and carpets
- Dual spinning sweeper brush
- Runs for a whole 130 minutes
- HEPA filter helps keep the air clean
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Home
Cons
- Can be a bit tricky to set up
This Deebot Robot 901 Vacuum is another fantastic choice for a busy household. This model offers a range of useful features and is also compatible with smart home systems such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
Great for use on multiple surfaces, the Deebot efficiently cleans hardwood floors, tiles, and carpets. The intelligent ‘systemic cleaning path’ function enables the vacuum to choose the most effective route through your home, traveling over carpets and transitioning to hard flooring with ease. This saves both power and time, unlike other models that move around in a less organized fashion.
The Deebot Robot 901 Vacuum can also be controlled and directed through the Ecovacs app, making it possible for you to schedule cleaning sessions for when they’re most convenient. The smart system can automatically clean your entire home or be operated on “single room” mode as required. This is useful if you just want to target a particular room or space in a short amount of time. Furthermore, it’s easy to set up, which is important if you don’t consider yourself tech-savvy.
As an added bonus, the Deebot Robot has a relatively long battery life and can last a generous 120 minutes before automatically returning to the dock to recharge.
Pros
- Suitable for hard floors and carpets
- Scheduled cleaning
- Intelligent cleaning path
- App compatible
- Battery life is 120 minutes
- Easy set up
Cons
- Some users complained the app is unreliable
Comparison Chart
| FEATURE | iRobot Roomba i7 | Eufy RoboVac 15C | Ecovacs Deebot N79S | Pure Clean PUCRC660 | Ecovacs Deebot 901 |
| Cleans Hard Floor and Carpets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Battery Life | 120 mins | 100 mins | 120 mins | 130 mins | 120 mins |
| App Compatible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weight (lbs) | 7.45 | 9.48 | 7.05 | 10.8 | 9.7 |
| Obstacle/Drop Detection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Emptying | ✓ | X | X | X | X |
| Scheduling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Particle Filter | ✓ | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alexa Compatible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Buyer’s Guide:
Robot Vacuum for Multiple Surfaces
There are many reasons to take the plunge and buy yourself a robot vacuum cleaner. Some of the benefits include the following:
- Pet Hair: One of the downsides of owning pets is the hair they leave all over your home. Robot vacuums are especially useful for picking up the hairs that fall from your furry friends and becomes embedded into your carpet fibers.
- Snack Mess: Anyone with small children knows that snack and meal times can be the worst culprits for causing messy floors. With a robot vacuum, meal times no longer need to be a stressful balance between feeding and cleaning up after your child. Instead, you can enjoy some quality time with the children before popping on your robot vacuum for an after meal clean.
- Limited Mobility: For the elderly or disabled, one of the biggest challenges is no longer being independent. With a device like a robot vacuum, you can keep your home clean with minimal exertion.
- Allergies: If you or a household member suffer from allergies that are triggered by dust, then a robot vacuum will help you to maintain a clean and healthy environment.
- Office space: Office spaces often have a mixture of hardwood floors and carpets. Instead of hiring a cleaner, you can invest in a robot vacuum and enjoy a squeaky clean working space every day.
- Time-Saving: If you have a busy schedule, finding the time to clean your home can be a struggle. By using a robot vacuum, you can simply set it up and let it do all the hard work for you.
- Surface Compatibility: All of the robot vacuums in this article are suitable for multiple surfaces, but some are better than others. Hard floors and lightweight carpets are rarely a problem with these models, but several robot vacuums will still struggle if you have particularly high pile rugs or carpets.
- Size of Your Home: If you have a large home you’ll need to buy a robot vacuum that has a sufficient battery life. You don’t want to run the risk of the battery running out mid-operation, so you should look for one which is capable of running for at least 100 mins or more for best results. Many models will automatically return to charge themselves and remember where they left off, which is perfect for larger homes.
- Integration with App or Smart Home System If you’re accustomed to using smart devices for organizing your home, then you should consider a robot vacuum that’s compatible with this. Otherwise, it’s just another system to juggle and thus might reduce the convenience factor.
- Furniture Height: One of the major advantages of a robot vacuum is cleaning hard-to-reach places like under the sofa or bed. To get the best use out of your cleaning device, make sure you select one that can fit into these areas. If you don’t, you may find yourself having to frequently rescue your robot vacuum when it gets stuck under furniture.
Pros
- Great for busy households
- Can usually be scheduled to clean when convenient
- Saves you time on chores
- Perfect if you have limited mobility
- Help reduce allergens
- Often work with smart home systems
Cons
- Some models struggle on thick pile carpets
- May get stuck under furniture
- May pose a trip hazard
How Do Robot Vacuums Work?
Robot vacuums map out your home and clean it in a systematic fashion, using inbuilt sensors that help prevent them from colliding with people, pets, and objects. If they get stuck somewhere, many robot vacuums will alert you and resume cleaning once rescued.
How Do Robot Vacuums Charge?
Many models will return to their docking station to recharge when they sense that their battery is low; others, though, will require you to locate them and plug them in. Some higher-end models will remember which areas they had cleaned when the battery ran out and then resume from where they left off once recharged.
How Do I Care for My Robot Vacuum?
Like modern hand-held vacuum cleaners, most robot vacuums are bagless. If the robot vacuum isn’t a self-emptying model, the plastic tub or bin that collects the debris will need to be emptied from time to time. Robot vacuums may also have a filter that needs to be replaced every 3-6 months of use to make sure that the vacuum continues to clean effectively. You’ll need to refer to the manufacturer’s guide for recommendations for your specific brand.
Final Thoughts
As we have seen, robot vacuums for multiple surfaces are a must if you have a busy lifestyle. Instead of rushing about cleaning after a long day, your robot vacuum will take care of any pet hair or snack mess without any extra exertion on your part. Multiple surfaces are efficiently cleaned with one clever appliance without any requirement to switch between vacuums, brushes, and mops. All in all, making an investment in a robot vacuum will leave you more time to work as well as more time to relax and focus on the things that matter to you.
