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Finding Your Next Hardwood Floor Vacuum Robot: A Buyer’s Guide
From large unsightly machines to tiny autonomous robots, vacuum cleaners have come a long way over the years. Something about them still hasn’t changed though, and that’s the fact that they can make cleaning jobs extremely easy. Designed for deep and efficient cleaning, vacuum robots now come expressly designed for particular surfaces — and if you have a specific type of flooring, you can opt for a robot that excels at cleaning that particular surface.Hardwood floors offer great aesthetics, but they are challenging to maintain. They’ve also been a staple in the interior design industry for decades. Hardwood floors do need regular cleaning to avoid stains or rot though, which makes many people wary of putting this particular addition in their homes. But not anymore! With the help of this comprehensive guide, including some of the highest-rated hardwood floor vacuum robots for 2023, cleaning your hardwood floors and making them look more vibrant has never been easier!
Eufy by Anker Robovac G20
Best Overall
Irobot Hardwood Floor Vacuum Robot
Perfect for Pets
Roborock S5 Max Robot Vacuum
Best Navigation
Shark IQ Hardwood Floor Vacuum Robot
Perfect for Carpet Cleaning
Coredy Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Most Customizable
Things to Look for in Hardwood Floor Vacuum Robots
Durability
First and foremost, whatever product you pick, you definitely want it to last. No one wants to keep reinvesting into the same thing over and over again, which is why durability is one of the most critical factors you need to consider when buying a hardwood floor vacuum robot. When searching online for some options, check for a product that resists water and rust, and make sure it can take a bit of a beating if you have pets or children in your home. Also ensure that if a robot is wired, that the wire is durable and flexible, and if it’s battery-powered, it should be long-lasting.Suction
Although hardwood floors are challenging to maintain, they are not as hard as carpeted surfaces. Cleaning hardwood floors is a much easier job for a robot vacuum, too. But that doesn’t mean you don’t also have carpeted floors in your house or rugs that need cleaning. This is why it is suggested going for a robot vacuum that can clean both surfaces, and for that, you will need enough suction force. Measured in pascals, robot vacuums’ suction power ranges from 1000 PA to 4000 PA. Depending on your needs, you can opt for a higher PA rating for deeper cleaning. Just remember that due to their tiny size and smaller motors, robot vacuums cannot measure up to standard vacuum cleaners, and they cannot perform as deep and thorough cleaning.Cleaning modes
Most vacuums come equipped with cleaning modes that allow you to take on a lot of cleaning jobs without much hassle, but not all of them offer an extensive range though. Automatic cleaning is the most basic of modes, it lets you leave a hardwood floor vacuum robot alone while it does its job. Spot cleaning is a mode where the robot focuses on a single spot for extra time to ensure nothing is missed and the area is thoroughly cleaned. Turbo mode increases a bot’s suction power while also eating away at its battery life, providing deeper cleaning on more difficult surfaces like carpets and rugs. And finally, quiet mode allows you to rest while the robot does its job. It also lowers the suction speed and reduces the noise generated by the machine. Some of the most sought after modes for hardwood floor robot vacuums include:- Spot cleaning
- Turbo mode
- Scheduler
- No-go zone setup
- Wet and dry cleaning
- Mobile control
Mapping
Mapping is one of the most significant reasons robot vacuums have become so successful. Mapping allows your hardwood floor vacuum robot to generate a floor plan for your home — and it also helps it find the most optimal path for covering your floors in the shortest amount of time. Mapping also lets your robot remember where your furniture and fixtures are, helping it go around them and avoid accidents. And, for your robot to include a crucial feature, no-go zone setups, it needs mapping capabilities. This feature does come at a premium cost though, and it requires a Wi-Fi connection so your mobile devices can connect to your robot. Ultimately, your choice should depend on your personal preferences and needs. Make sure the hardwood floor vacuum robot you select fits in with your space and your cleaning habits, too.Eufy by Anker Robovac G20
Best Overall
This robot by Eufy is a phenomenal option for cleaning hardwood floors and it includes some impressive smart technology and a lot of features. This vacuum robot is only 2.85 inches tall, so it can get under furniture and pick up dust. This option is ideal for cleaning hardwood floors due to its deep-clean technology, which makes use of this robot’s sweeping and vacuuming features. Since this product is mostly automated, charging, emptying, and detecting routes come naturally to this little robot. We judged this pick as the best overall product on this list due to its sleek design, noise reduction, and high suction power mode.
Pros
- Smart, dynamic navigation
- 2500 PA suction mode
- Noise reduction technology
- Cleans underneath furniture
Cons
- Not recommended for carpeting
Irobot Hardwood Floor Vacuum Robot
Perfect for Pets
If you’re a pet lover, the Irobot Hardwood Floor Vacuum Robot should be perfect for your cleaning needs. This product makes use of a three-stage cleaning technology that detects, sweeps, and lifts dirt off floors. This cleaning technology also helps this robot detect which areas of your floors are dirtier, then it gives them a more thorough cleaning. This pick’s advanced sensors also ensure that it doesn’t bump into furniture, and the “cliff-detect” technology keeps it from falling off of stairs. This is the perfect product for anyone who wants to simply press a button and get their floors cleaned without any supervision.
Pros
- Adaptive to cleaning routines
- Navigates around obstacles
- Recharges automatically
- Ideal for floors and carpets
Cons
- Does not include a remote control
Roborock S5 Max Robot Vacuum
Best Navigation
When it comes to cleaning floors, a good mop can really bring out their shine. This option from Roborock is the perfect mopping solution for anyone who loves automated cleaning. This vacuum allows you to adjust the water flow according to a room’s flooring, and it also lets you remember specific maps and no-go zones. Using smart technology like this, you can easily leave your vacuum to clean the floors without needing to monitor it. This vacuum lifts dirt and sucks it in with its 2000 Pascal Pressure Unit (PA) force, which can really help make your floors spotless. So, this is a great product for busier households with different types of flooring.
Pros
- Customizable water flow
- Precise room navigation
- Three hours of cleaning
- App and voice control
Cons
- Requires occasional maintenance
Shark IQ Hardwood Floor Vacuum Robot
Perfect for Carpet Cleaning
The Shark IQ Hardwood Floor Vacuum Robot is a great solution for pet owners and people who have a hard time with allergies. This option’s thorough and robust cleaning easily picks up pet hair, dander, and other particles off of floors. Since the app lets you schedule cleaning your whole house, and even specific rooms, depending on your needs — you can leave this machine to work its magic and concentrate on other things. Another feature offered by this robot is cleaning floors by row, helping ensure no missed spots and more pristine-looking floors. Overall, this is a fantastic product that lets you control your new robot friend via an app as well as using voice control.
Pros
- Self-emptying storage base
- Easily picks up small particles
- Maps floors for better cleaning
- Row-by-row cleaning function
Cons
- Uses U.S. plugs and voltage
Coredy Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Most Customizable
The Coredy Robot Vacuum Cleaner is the ultimate pick for people who love giving voice-activated commands and thrive on customization. This option allows you to give it voice instructions and you can also set up cleaning paths for your house. You can easily block certain areas and determine where it’ll clean first, too. Apart from regular cleaning, this vacuum robot offers mopping as well, and it comes with a water bank and mop attachment. To make sure your floor shines, this product also adjusts the water content according to the relative dryness and humidity.
Pros
- Voice and app controlled
- Automatic material sensor
- Adaptive suction power
- Includes a mop option
Cons
- The voice activation is hard to set up
People Also Asked
Do hardwood floor vacuum robots work well on hardwood floors?
Since hardwood floors often have small cracks that are difficult to clean, even with the help of a rag or a mop, a robot vacuum is your best bet for cleaning them. The extra suction helps remove the grime and debris from these cracks more efficiently.
Are hardwood floor vacuum robots worth the money?
Robot vacuums can be a smart investment, especially considering all the benefits they can provide to your cleaning routine. Not only do they help save you time and effort, but they can make your cleaning routine almost effortless. They can also help with increasing the longevity of your hardwood floors with their daily cleaning sessions.
How do hardwood floor vacuum robots work?
Hardwood floor vacuum robots work the same way as normal vacuum cleaners, only automatically. They make 3D maps of living spaces and can take on cleaning chores based on commands, schedules, or whenever you need them to.
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