Buying guide for best robot vacuum for hardwood floors
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Robot vacuums have a pretty good reputation for cleaning bare floors. But when it comes to beautiful hardwood, you want a robot that can effectively pick up dirt, hair and debris without damaging the surface. The BestReviews Testing Lab evaluated 33 models to determine the best robot vacuum for hardwood floors.
We wanted a complete picture of all the models we tried, so we tested general features important for any type of floor, such as battery life, charging time, cleaning time and dustbin capacity. But we also conducted tests specific to hardwood, such as cleaning different types of messes like pet hair and kitty litter, to see how well each model would do. We also paid attention to the vacuums’ components and observed whether they damaged the wood surface.
Additionally, we tested the apps connected to the robot vacuums to see how they improved performance or made cleaning more convenient. After rigorous testing, we concluded that the iRobot Roomba s9+ is the best robot vacuum for hardwood floors.
New releases
On September 11, iRobot released two new models ahead of the holiday season. Here's a look at what we know so far.
iRobot Roomba Combo j9+
Product specifications
Battery life: 120 minutes | Dimensions: 13.7” L x 13.7” W x 3.4” H | Weight: 8.98 lb | Mapping: Yes | Self-emptying: Yes | Voice commands: Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri Shortcuts | Scheduling: Yes
The Roomba Combo j9+ is an ideal combo robot for hardwood floors because it has a self-retracting mop head. That means it lifts the head to the top of the robot when not mopping, so you don’t have to worry about it getting areas with rugs or carpet wet. It can also recognize spaces that require more scrubbing with extra water, like a tile floor in the bathroom, and floors where light mopping is sufficient, like the hardwood in the dining room. The Combo j9+ features Carpet Boost technology, too, which allows it to automatically adjust suction based on the flooring, so its battery can last for up to two hours on mainly hardwood floors.
BestReviews is currently testing this product; we will update our test picks when we're done.
iRobot Roomba j9+
Product specifications
Battery life: 120 minutes | Dimensions: 13.3” L x 13.3” W x 3.4” H | Weight: 7.5 lb | Mapping: Yes | Self-emptying: Yes | Voice commands: Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri Shortcuts | Scheduling: Yes
With 100 times the suction power of the Roomba i-series models, the Roomba j9+ can pick up all types of debris from hardwood floors without blowing it around. It also has rubber brushes that won’t scratch or gouge the wood. The robot has advanced obstacle avoidance, too, which lets it steer around items like pet bowls or litter boxes to prevent spills that might damage hardwood flooring.
Additionally, its Dirt Detective feature alerts the robot to which rooms are dirtiest and should be cleaned first, based on when they were last cleaned and how much dirt was present on previous cleaning jobs. You can even create a customized cleaning plan based on a room’s floor type, so you know your hardwood floors get the care and cleaning they require.
BestReviews is currently testing this product; we will update our test picks when we're done.
Our top picks: Which robot vacuum is best for hardwood floors?
iRobot Roomba s9+
Product specifications
Battery life: 107 minutes | Dimensions: 12.25” L x 12.25” W x 3.5” H | Dustbin capacity: 0.5 L | Weight: 8.15 lb | Mapping: Yes | Self-emptying: Yes | Voice commands: Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri | Scheduling: Yes
The iRobot Roomba s9+ is a premium robot vacuum that excelled in nearly all the situations we tested it in. However, its performance on hardwood floors did stand out among the robots we tried because it had the most success capturing debris on the smooth, slick wooden surface. During a test with pet hair, the s9+ captured the entire clump without leaving any behind. When we placed coarse kosher salt on the hardwood floor, the robot sucked up nearly everything except a few stray granules. It also successfully picked up a handful of cereal, with just two pieces blown out of its path. Finally, when we tested the s9+ with kitty litter, it captured all of the debris except for four granules that blew out of its path.
Unlike the other models on our list, such as the Shark IQ, iRobot Roomba j7+ and the Eufy by Anker RoboVac X8, which are all round, the s9+ has a D-shape. We found that its unique shape allowed it to get into corners better — for instance, it effectively removed all of the kosher salt we sprinkled in a corner.
The Roomba s9+ also demonstrated a solid battery life, running for 107 minutes before it returned to its base for charging. We were pleased to find that its internal dustbin can hold a great deal of debris, too — it cleaned for nearly a half hour in a testing area with two medium-to-large dogs without needing to empty the bin.
The self-cleaning feature was highly convenient, and the s9+ automatically emptied itself once during an hour-and-18-minute cleaning session, so there were no interruptions to the vacuuming. We were also impressed with how efficiently it cleaned, vacuuming a 140-square-foot area in just 37 minutes. It didn’t have a problem moving between hardwood and carpeting, either, so it’s a good choice for homes with both.
Additionally, the Roomba s9+’s mapping and navigation capabilities were helpful with hardwood floors. We created a Keep Out Zone, which successfully prevented the robot from coming too close to pet bowls and spilling water on the wood floor. Its rubber brushes and wheels didn’t damage the wood, either. Overall, we gave it a 10 out of 10 for its impressive suction on hardwood, excellent cleaning time and top-notch cleaning performance, making it the best Roomba for hardwood floors.
Read more: iRobot Roomba s9+
Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL
Best robot vacuum for hardwood floors for the money
Product specifications
Battery life: 97 minutes | Dimensions: 12.6" L x 12.6” W x 3.5” H | Dustbin capacity: 0.4 L | Weight: 5.87 lb | Mapping: Yes | Self-emptying: Yes | Voice commands: Alexa and Google Assistant | Scheduling: Yes
The Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty XL is a mid-tier robot vacuum, but it delivers many of the same features as high-end models for hardwood floors. We were highly impressed with its performance on hard flooring, where it picked up 98% of the debris in its path. It cleaned in neat rows, so it could usually pick up any dirt, hair or other debris it missed on its next pass. Its 97 minutes of cleaning time covered half the testing area. We were also pleased by its ability to capture debris on hardwood in corners and along baseboards, as well as under a couch and between bar stools.
With its mapping abilities, the Shark IQ Robot allowed us to create no-go zones for areas where we didn’t want it to clean. It navigated the testing space well, though small items like pet toys sometimes got caught inside because it didn’t try to avoid them like other robots, such as the iRobot Roomba j7+ and Roomba j7+ Combo. It also transitioned fairly well between hardwood and carpet, but it could sometimes leave some dirt and debris behind at the carpets’ corners. We were pleased with how easy the self-emptying base made operation and discovered that emptying the main base when full was just as simple.
The connected Shark app was user-friendly, so we could easily schedule the robot to clean. We scheduled it to clean at the same time daily and found it followed those instructions without a hitch. We scored it an 8 out of 10 because of its user-friendly operation, excellent suction on hardwood and thorough cleaning of corners and around furniture.
iRobot Roomba j7+
Best robot vacuum for hardwood floors for pet hair
Product specifications
Battery life: 97 minutes | Dimensions: 13.3" L x 13.3” W x 3.4” H | Dust bin capacity: 0.4 L | Weight: 7.49 lb | Mapping: Yes | Self-emptying: Yes | Voice commands: Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri | Scheduling: Yes
The iRobot Roomba j7+ is a powerful robot vacuum that can replace a traditional vacuum in many homes. During testing, we found it performed extremely well on hardwood floors. In particular, it removed a clump of pet hair without missing a single strand. During a general vacuuming run, it also captured all the loose pet hair on the hardwood surface. We were pleased with its performance with other types of debris, including cereal, coarse kosher salt and kitty litter. Like the Roomba s9+, it sometimes blew a particle or two out of its path, but it captured nearly all of the debris. However, its performance in corners wasn’t quite as impressive as the s9+’s because it blew some salt out of the corner.
The Roomba j7+ ran for 97 minutes before recharging, providing plenty of time to clean our testing space. In fact, we found its cleaning performance was highly efficient — it vacuumed 320 square feet in just 53 minutes. Its smart mapping and navigation features are excellent, too. It mapped a floor with five rooms and correctly identified four out of the five. The app made it easy to go in and identify the unnamed space, so we had a highly accurate map. We then used voice commands to send the robot out to clean specific areas for targeted cleaning. Its object avoidance really stood out to us in testing, too. We placed a purse, a shoe and a stuffed pet toy in its path, and it seemed to sense the object in advance and swerve away from it.
The Roomba j7+ transitioned well between hardwood flooring and carpeting, though it sometimes had trouble moving from the wood to thicker rugs or runners. The self-emptying feature made the operation much more convenient, so we didn’t have to intervene at all while it was cleaning. Overall, we gave this robot a 9 out of 10 for its excellent performance with pet hair, object avoidance and accurate mapping.
Read more: iRobot Roomba j7+
Eufy by Anker RoboVac X8
Most powerful robot vacuum
Product specifications
Battery life: 190 minutes | Dimensions: 13.58" L x 13.58” W x 3.85” H | Dustbin capacity: 0.6 L | Weight: 7.72 lb | Mapping: Yes | Self-emptying: No | Voice commands: Alexa and Google Assistant | Scheduling: Yes
The Eufy by Anker Robot Vac X8 works well in many situations, so we found it’s an excellent option for a home with both hardwood and carpet. During testing, its performance on carpeting pleasantly surprised us because it picked up more debris than expected. However, it was even better on hardwood. We observed it handle nearly every type of debris with ease. Its twin turbines increased suction power over previous Eufy by Anker RobotVac models, including the G3, which makes it a better choice for multiple flooring types. Released in 2021, the X8 also transitioned easily between hardwood and carpet, so it didn’t have issues moving from one floor to the next.
We discovered that the robot’s laser sensors provided a very accurate map — and it didn’t take much time to do. It mapped a 215-square-foot room with several furniture items in just 20 minutes, so it could start vacuuming quickly. Its battery life also makes this model a standout. With a staggering 190 minutes of cleaning time, it had the longest-lasting battery of all the models we tested. And while it makes some noise, our testing found it’s still noticeably quieter than a traditional vacuum.
Additionally, we found the EufyHome app extremely user-friendly, so we could easily access features like spot cleaning and zone cleaning with the tap of a few buttons. With its easy transitioning between floors, super-long battery life and solid suction power, we gave the X8 an 8 out of 10.
iRobot Roomba j7+ Combo
Best hybrid robot vacuum for hardwood floors
Product specifications
Battery life: 128 minutes | Dimensions: 13.3" L x 13.3” W x 3.4” H | Dustbin capacity: 0.4 L | Water tank capacity: 0.48 L | Weight: 7.35 lb | Mapping: Yes | Self-emptying: Yes | Voice commands: Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri | Scheduling: Yes
If you want a robot that can handle both the vacuuming and mopping of your hardwood floors, look no further than the iRobot Roomba j7+ Combo. It has many of the same features as the Roomba j7+, but its ability to clean wet, sticky and dried-on messes from hardwood make it one of our favorites. Testing revealed that the j7+ Combo can handle nearly any mess on hard flooring. It picked up a clump of pet hair without any issues and removed kosher salt, cereal and kitty litter with only a few particles blown out of its path in each case. In its mopping mode, it cleaned up a spill of iced tea without leaving a film behind. It also fully removed sticky residue from a kitchen floor.
The j7+ Combo didn’t damage the hardwood floors in our testing, either. The mopping pad flipped up onto the robot’s top when not mopping to avoid scratching or gouging the wood. We also found that it ran for an impressive two hours and eight minutes before needing to recharge and efficiently cleaned a 320-square-foot room in just 52 minutes. Its camera-aided navigation made for easy mapping, too, and it correctly identified both room locations and flooring types. Like the j7+, it was an expert at obstacle avoidance, pivoting away from a shoe and a small stuffed pet toy before coming into contact.
We also tested some voice commands, such as “Clean the kitchen,” with Alexa and were pleased by how responsive the j7+ Combo was. The Clean and Keep Out Zones also made it easy to target cleaning. We scored it a 9 out of 10 for its versatility, outstanding object avoidance and top-notch suction power.
Read more: iRobot Roomba j7+ Combo
iRobot Roomba i1+
Best self-emptying robot vacuum for hardwood floors
Product specifications
Battery life: 92 minutes | Dimensions: 13.5" L x 13.5” W x 3.6” H | Dustbin capacity: 0.4 L | Weight: 7.44 lb | Mapping: Yes | Self-emptying: Yes | Voice commands: Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri | Scheduling: Yes
The iRobot Roomba i1+ has a self-emptying base and many other convenient features that make it feel high-end. Its performance on hardwood floors was solid during testing, though it ran into the same issue that the other models we tested did — it sometimes blew a few particles out of its cleaning path. However, it fully removed a clump of pet hair from hardwood with none left behind and picked up kosher salt, cereal and kitty litter with only a few stray pieces blowing out of its path. We also found that the i1+ was pretty successful at going back and picking up the missed pieces on a second pass. It transitioned well between hardwood and carpet, too, but it did move a little more slowly over thicker wooden molding than it did on thin metal dividers.
The i1+ provided just over an hour and a half of cleaning time and ran for 37 minutes in an area that contained two dogs before its dirt bin was full. While it wasn’t as efficient as other Roomba models like the s9+, j7+ and j7+ Combo, it did work pretty quickly, cleaning 255 square feet in 54 minutes. Its mapping process wasn’t as advanced, either, so it took two vacuuming runs for the robot to learn the floor. However, we were pleased with how accurate the finished map was, even without our input. Our testing discovered that its self-emptying base worked well, emptying the internal dustbin nearly completely every time. It also ensured that vacuuming was never interrupted because we were unaware the bin was full.
We found that the i1+ was also extremely easy to set up and use, too, so it would be an excellent model for someone who’s never used a robot vacuum before. We scored the i1+ a 7 out of 10 for its solid performance on hardwood and carpet, user-friendly interface and low-maintenance, self-emptying design.
Read more: iRobot Roomba i1+
iRobot Roomba i4 EVO
Best entry-level robot vacuum for hardwood floors
Product specifications
Battery life: 92 minutes | Dimensions: 13.34” L x 13.26” W x 3.36” H | Dustbin capacity: 0.3 L | Weight: 7.44 lb | Mapping: Yes | Self-emptying: No | Voice commands: Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri | Scheduling: Yes
The iRobot Roomba i4 EVO may be an entry-level robot vacuum, but it has extra features and opportunities for customization that make it a good fit for many homes. During our testing, it removed half of the salt we placed in its path on hardwood but required a second pass to capture all of it. It performed similarly with cereal and kitty litter, needing a second go-over to remove nearly all the particles.
However, we found that it really excelled with small lengths of cut-up sewing thread, grabbing all of them in a single pass. We were also pleased by how well it transitioned from hardwood to carpet and carpet to hardwood, so it can handle homes with multiple flooring types.
The i4 EVO, which launched in 2022 with improved smart mapping capabilities compared to the original i4 from 2021, proved pretty efficient, too. During testing, it cleaned 346 square feet in just an hour and 11 minutes. We found that it cleaned in neat rows, so it usually picked up any debris it missed on its first go-around on hardwood eventually. We were also pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to clean after use. The rubber brush roll prevented hair from getting tangled around it, so there wasn’t much to remove. The caster wheel popped out for easy cleaning around it, as well.
We also tested how responsive the i4 EVO was with voice commands like “Clean the living room” and found that it took only one or two seconds to take action. Overall, we gave it a score of 8 out of 10 for its solid performance on hardwood, easy cleaning and affordable price.
Read more: iRobot Roomba i4 EVO
How we test
Our goal was to be as thorough as possible when testing these robot vacuums on hardwood, so we carried out specific tests and general cleaning tasks to see how they responded. We started with setting up the robots to charge and connecting them to Wi-Fi and the connected apps to see how smooth the process was.
To put the robots through their paces, we timed how long they could clean before the battery died, as well as how long the empty battery needed to recharge. We also paid attention to how long the vacuums could clean before their dustbins were full to better understand the capacity. Additionally, we considered how long it took the models to clean a room and the square footage of that space.
Next, we dove into all of the robots’ features and capabilities. That meant sending them out to map, setting up no-clean zones, and testing how well they could clean specific rooms or areas. We used voice commands with compatible models to see how responsive they were, too.
Most importantly, though, we tested specific types of debris on hardwood flooring to see how the robot vacuums performed. We placed pet hair, cereal, kitty litter and small-to-medium particles like kosher salt on the floor and evaluated how well each model dealt with the mess. We also placed debris around furniture and in the corners of a room with hardwood to see how effectively the robot vacuums could clean in those situations. We also evaluated how much noise they made on hardwood and carpeting.
Considerations when buying a robot vacuum for hardwood floors
Battery life
Robot vacuums rely on a battery to move freely through a home without any cords, so you want a model with enough cleaning time to vacuum your entire space. Battery life varies from model to model, but it also changes based on the type of flooring it’s on. When a robot vacuum cleans carpeting, it uses increased suction to draw dirt, hair and other debris from between the carpet’s fibers. It doesn’t need as much power on hard flooring because the surface is smooth and even, leaving few spots for dirt to hide. As a result, the battery typically drains more quickly on carpeting and lasts longer on hardwood and other hard surfaces.
Most robot vacuums offer a battery life of at least 90 minutes, and we find that’s the minimum battery life that homeowners should consider. Unless your home is extremely large and has multiple floors you want to clean, that will give you enough cleaning time to vacuum.
However, some robots boast batteries that can go for two hours or more without recharging. These models will work well in larger homes, but they can also be a good fit if you have children and/or pets and want to send your robot out on a few runs to ensure that even areas of heavy dirt are cleaned completely.
Of the robot vacuums we tested, the Eufy by Anker RoboVac X8 stood out as the longest-running, going more than three hours between charges. The models with the shortest battery life, the iRobot Roomba i4 and Roomba i1+, topped out at just over 90 minutes.
In addition to a robot’s battery life, consider a model that has a charge-and-resume feature. The robot will automatically return to its base when it senses a low battery to recharge. Once the battery is full, the vacuum resumes cleaning right from where it left off.
Mopping capabilities
Vacuuming isn’t the only care that hardwood requires to keep it clean. Some robot vacuums also offer a mopping feature for cleaning up wet and sticky messes on hardwood to ensure that all types of debris are removed. They can also remove dried mud, hair and debris that might be stuck on the floor’s surface. A mopping feature may not be necessary for your home, but it can be a nice bonus if you dislike mopping as much as vacuuming.
Not all hybrid robot vacuums are created equal, though. Some models can release too much moisture and damage unsealed wood floors. It’s also important to choose a robot that can mop with plain water or a wood-safe cleaning solution to ensure your floors are safe. We prefer models that allow you to choose vacuum-only cleaning, too, so your floor never gets wet when it doesn’t need to.
During testing, we found that the iRobot j7+ Combo’s design went a long way in protecting hardwood surfaces. When the robot isn’t mopping, the mopping pad retracts to its top, so you don’t have to worry about excess water or moisture leaking out. The floors also dried quickly during our test runs, so there wasn’t too much moisture left behind.
Mapping and obstacle avoidance
The best robot vacuums can find their way around your home without bumping into furniture and other items. Many high-end models have mapping capabilities that let them “learn” a space for more efficient and effective cleaning. Some robots, like the iRobot Roomba j7+ and Romba j7+ Combo, rely on cameras to capture visual landmarks in a space, such as walls and furniture. Others, such as the iRobot Roomba s9+ and the Eufy by Anker RoboVac X8, use laser sensors to navigate a room.
Once a space is mapped, you can then take advantage of additional cleaning features. You can send your robot out for zone cleaning, so it vacuums a specific room or even around certain furniture. Mapping also enables you to set up no-go zones to keep the robot out of areas where you don’t want it cleaning. During testing, we found that the mapping technology in models like the Roomba s9+, the RoboVac X8, Roomba j7+ and Romba j7+ Combo allowed for more precise, targeted cleaning.
However, models with camera-based navigation, like Roomba the j7+ and j7+ Combo, definitely offered better obstacle avoidance in our testing. While robots like the Roomba s9 and the RoboVac X8 could identify furniture and other items that are stationary in a room, the j7+ and j7+ Combo could also detect items that are in its path in a given moment, such as a pet toy or shoe. These robots sensed the object in their path and pivoted away from them before any real contact was made.
Do robot vacuums scratch hardwood floors?
You may be worried about your robot vacuum scratching your hardwood floors, and it’s certainly a valid concern. Depending on the design and materials used, a robot may scratch or mark hardwood during cleaning.
Robot vacuums with plastic wheels and traditional bristled brushes are more likely to scratch hardwood. Plastic is hard and rigid, so it can scrape wood when dragged along your floors. However, many models, including the iRobot Roomba s9+, the Shark IQ Robot, the Roomba j7+ and the Roomba j7+, feature rubber wheels and brushes. Rubber is soft and flexible, making it less likely to gouge and damage hardwood surfaces as the robots move over them.
What if I have carpet and hardwood?
Even if your home has large areas of hardwood flooring, you may have a room or two with carpeting. Finding a robot vacuum that can effectively handle both flooring types can be tricky, but many models, like the Eufy by Anker RoboVac X8 and the iRobot Roomba s9+, automatically adjust to the flooring surface and increase or decrease suction power as necessary.
It’s also important to consider how well a robot vacuum can transition between hardwood and carpeting. Most models can go from carpeting to hardwood without issue, but some robots struggle to move from hardwood to other surfaces. During testing, we found that models with larger wheels, such as the Roomba s9+, usually had an easier time getting over transition molding between hardwood and carpeting.
