Our top 5 robot vacuums for carpet are powerful and detail-oriented

Why we picked this:

As the number and letter mashup in the title suggests, the Combo j9+ finally combines the best features of the older high-end Roombas: the small obstacle detection and retractable mop of the Roomba Combo j7+ (which we also tested and really liked), and even better suction power than the Roomba s9+, which was previously the most powerful Roomba. The Combo j9+ also beats the suction power of the aforementioned Combo j7+, which was noticeably worse at picking up chip crumbs and cat hair than the new Combo j9+ in our comparative tests in the same apartment.

Mopping-wise, the Combo j9+ attacks dried stains more persistently by scrubbing back and forth with force rather than staying stationary. The new dock is bigger than previous docks from iRobot, but that's because it's holding a separate water tank that automatically refills the smaller tank on the vac itself for 30 days at a time. Any maintenance can be done without opening the chic wood lid on top of the dock, so you've basically got a free new full-time side table.

Who it's for:

Not everyone in the market for a robot vacuum is willing to pay $1,000 or more just to take a chore or two off of their plate. Those who would be down for that investment want a deep clean that goes past casual daily upkeep, and they want it to happen without babysitting required on their end. The Combo j9+ would be particularly worthwhile in large homes with several pets that have an even mix of hard floors and thick carpeting.

Why we picked this:

Shark has been a player in the robot vacuum game forever, but didn't have a model that particularly stood out — until winter of 2022, that is. The latest Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 (previously called the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1) surprisingly rocked our world with improvements over older Shark models, like a mop that actually scrubs and some of the most thorough spot cleaning we've seen on any robot vacuum. We also can't help but bring up the price point on both the standalone and self-emptying versions of the Matrix Plus 2-in-1, which go for as low as $299.99 or $399.99 on sale, respectively.

The new Matrix Clean system prompts the vac to take several passes to ensure that no spots are missed. During regular dry vacuuming, it delivers 30% better carpet cleaning (compared to the older RV Shark models) by digging deeper into carpet and cleaning in a crosshatch pattern to loosen and grab debris from multiple angles. When a corner is detected by "Matrix" also applies to the AI Ultra's mopping, which vibrates 100 times per minute to scrub stains.

Who it's for:

If you typically take the "and one for good measure" approach when it comes to cleaning, you'll appreciate the extra effort the newest Shark vacuum puts in on dirty spots, even if it has already gone over them once.

While the Shark Matrix 2-in-1 would be fine switching between fully hard-floored and fully-carpeted rooms, it's probably best for homes without a heavy rug situation, as the bot requires you to manually point out rugs or carpets in the app and can't vacuum while the water tank is attached.

Why we picked this:

Reliable carpet cleaning, mopping that doesn't soak that carpet, and automatic emptying could make for a pricey checklist if you're Roborock or iRobot. Yeedi, a smaller brand that specializes in affordable robot vacuums, offers that iconic trio of robotic cleaning features in its Yeedi Vac Station, which is almost always on sale for less than $300. We were pretty satisfied with the Yeedi Vac's daily performance on rugs as well as hard floors — while 3,000 Pa of suction is a bold claim for a robot vacuum of this price, it doesn't seem to be a reach.

Who it's for:

This packed budget model is a stellar find for folks who would like to stretch no more than a few hundred dollars to cover the triple threat that is strong suction, mopping, and automatic emptying. Regardless of floor type, however, this vacuum may struggle in homes larger than a one or two-bedroom apartment, as its VSLAM mapping isn't quite as accurate as the laser-based LiDAR system used by more expensive robot vacuums. Its slender, minimalist dock is similarly ideal for smaller spaces.

Why we picked this:

Until recently, we recommended the Roborock S7+ as one of the best robot vacuums for carpets, but after testing the newer model S8+, we've updated our top pick. Between strong suction, LiDAR, and mopping that doesn't soak carpets, the Roborock S8+ is the perfect choice for homes with multiple types of flooring. With its self-empty dock (a wise bundle for people with shedding pets), the S8+ is a triple threat with just one catch — the $1,000 price tag. Roborock often offers a $200 off coupon, but even at this discounted price, it's definitely an investment.

Because the S8+ detects floor types, you won't have to worry about getting your carpet or rugs wet. This bot will automatically lift the mop as it rolls onto carpets. Not only that, but the S8+ will increase suction as soon as it senses carpeting.

To test this vacuum's carpet-cleaning capabilities, we used a lint roller on carpets after a cleaning was completed. While the S8+ didn't remove 100% of hair and debris, it was more effective than other robot vacuums we've tested (and slightly less effective than high-end stick vacuums).

Who it's for:

We recommend the Roborock S8+ for people who'd prefer the water stains and footprints on their tile to be treated to a deeper clean than just the light wiping of a cloth. This hybrid robot vacuum actually does a good job of mopping your floors thanks to a vibrating mop pad.

While it's easily one of the best robot vacuums for carpet, it's our top pick for homes with a combination of floor types. So, whether your home has thick carpet, tile and carpet, carpet and hardwood, or all of the above, we can definitely recommend this versatile vacuum.

Read our full review of the Roborock S8+.

Why we picked this:

Hear us out: The Roomba s9+ actually isn't the best Roomba at anything anymore, but its combination of suction power and price point leave it a solid contender. Now that it's two years old, the s9+ has received a permanent price drop from $999.99 to $649.99, and is often seen on sale for $599 (or $499 during Prime Day).

The only Roomba with more intense deep carpet cleaning than the Roomba s9+ is the $1,399.99 Roomba Combo j9+ that just came out in Sept. 2023 (and probably won't be on sale any time soon). Though the slightly older Roomba j7+ is smarter than the s9+ in terms of avoiding small obstacles like cords, the s9+ still beats it in terms of sheer suction power. (If you want numbers, the s9+ cleans with 40 times the suction of 600 Series Roombas while the j7+ offers 10 times the suction.)

Who it's for:

The Roomba s9+ could still be the way to go if you definitely want a Roomba but definitely don't want to spend much more than $500. Despite being succeeded by several newer releases from iRobot, the s9+ still has the second-best suction power of any Roomba and dual roller brushes necessary to dig into carpet fibers to pull out embedded crumbs or fur.

If you have combination flooring, keep in mind that the Roomba s9+ doesn't mop. While it's significantly more affordable than the mopping Roomba Combo j9+, there are several self-emptying hybrid options in line with the new price point of the s9+.

Read our full review of the Roomba s9+.