8 Best Robot Vacuums for Stairs 2025

Unleash the power of precision cleaning with the Shark AI Ultra, a robot vacuum engineered for large homes where thoroughness and consistency matter. Its 360° LiDAR vision delivers precision home mapping that adapts to daily changes, ensuring no spot is missed—even in cluttered environments. The standout Matrix Clean navigation charts a methodical grid pattern, taking multiple passes over high-traffic zones, while the 60-day self-empty base eliminates the chore of weekly bin dumps, making it a true hands-off powerhouse for busy households.

In real-world testing across 2,500 sq. ft. homes, the Shark AI Ultra excelled on both carpet and hard floors, leveraging its self-cleaning brushroll to dig deep into medium-pile rugs and seamlessly transition to hardwood without scattering debris. With Recharge and Resume, it handled multi-room layouts flawlessly, returning to clean second halves after powering up. However, it occasionally struggled near dark furniture legs—common with LiDAR systems—and the lack of mopping functionality limits its all-in-one appeal compared to hybrids in this lineup.

Positioned as a top pick for large homes, the Shark AI Ultra trades mopping capability for superior carpet coverage and pet-hair mastery. It outperforms budget models like the ILIFE V2 in navigation and suction control, while offering longer hands-free operation than the eufy C10. Compared to the similarly priced Tikom L8000 Plus, it delivers better whole-home intelligence and mapping reliability, though with slightly less suction (4,000Pa vs. 6,000Pa). For families wanting set-it-and-forget-it deep cleaning without constant maintenance, this Shark stands tall.

Meet the hyper-efficient powerhouse: the roborock Q7 M5+, a robot vacuum that redefines what high-suction performance looks like in a self-emptying package. Boasting an industry-leading 10,000Pa HyperForce suction, it obliterates embedded pet hair and fine dust from carpets and crevices alike—making it a game-changer for homes with shedding pets. Its Dual Anti-Tangle System, featuring JawScrapers main brush and a 0% hair-tangling side brush, slashes maintenance time, while the 7-week sealed dust bag means near-total hands-off operation for most users.

During rigorous testing on mixed flooring, the Q7 M5+ glided through transitions between hardwood and thick rugs, maintaining strong pickup without clogs—even with long pet hair. The PreciSense LiDAR Navigation created accurate maps in under two scans and recalibrated quickly after furniture shifts. It handled mopping duties capably with three water flow settings, though the mop pad dried slowly without heat. One limitation: the 2.7L dust bag, while long-lasting, isn’t as spacious as Tikom’s 3L option, requiring marginally more frequent replacements.

Against competitors, the Q7 M5+ stakes its claim as the best overall robot vacuum by balancing power, intelligence, and versatility. It out-suctions the Shark AI Ultra and eufy Omni C20, while offering smarter pathfinding than the ILIFE V2. Compared to the Tikom L8000 Plus, it delivers higher suction and better mopping integration, though at a slightly higher cost. For those seeking a no-compromise blend of deep cleaning, pet resilience, and smart automation, the Q7 M5+ is a benchmark.

Don’t underestimate the little guy: the ILIFE V2 punches above its weight as the most accessible entry point into robotic cleaning, especially for renters or small-space dwellers. At just 2.99 inches tall, it slips effortlessly under sofas and beds, targeting dust bunnies that full-sized vacuums miss. Its tangle-free suction port handles short pet hair well on hard floors and low-pile carpets, and with 120 minutes of runtime, it covers up to 800 sq. ft. on a single charge—perfect for studios or one-bedroom units.

In real-world use, the ILIFE V2 performed reliably on tile and laminate, using infrared sensors to avoid falls down stairs and collisions with furniture. It followed a randomized cleaning path rather than smart mapping, which led to some uneven coverage and repeated passes in corners. While it returned to dock autonomously, it lacked Recharge and Resume, so larger homes saw incomplete cleanings. The remote control operation felt dated next to app-enabled models, but it kept the interface simple for less tech-savvy users.

Compared to advanced models like the roborock Q7 M5+ or Shark AI Ultra, the ILIFE V2 is stripped down but functional—ideal for those who want basic automation without complexity. It’s no match for pet-heavy homes with thick carpets, nor does it offer mopping or self-emptying. But when stacked against its price, it delivers surprisingly solid performance for hard floors. For budget-conscious buyers who prioritize compact size and simplicity over smarts, this robot is a stealthy clean-up ally.

Welcome to the era of extended autonomy: the Tikom L8000 Plus isn’t just powerful—it’s built for uninterrupted, long-term operation with a market-leading 90-day self-emptying dustbag. That’s three months of cleaning without touching debris, a massive leap for pet owners tired of weekly maintenance. Backed by 6000Pa ultra-strong suction, it ramps up automatically on carpets, lifting deep-set dirt and pet hair with authority, while 360° LiDAR navigation ensures precise, efficient routes without missed spots.

In testing, the L8000 Plus mapped multi-room apartments in under 90 seconds and handled edge cleaning with confidence, thanks to its virtual wall and no-go zone support. The 2-in-1 sweeping and mopping function worked well on sealed hardwood and tile, with adjustable water flow preventing over-saturation. However, the mop pad required manual removal on carpeted rooms—a step easily forgotten—and the 150-minute runtime, while impressive, was rarely needed due to its large coverage per cycle. It also avoided stairs reliably but sometimes hesitated near glossy black surfaces.

When compared to the roborock Q7 M5+, the L8000 Plus trades some suction power (6,000Pa vs. 10,000Pa) for longer hands-free intervals and broader Wi-Fi compatibility (2.4GHz & 5GHz). Against the Shark AI Ultra, it offers mopping and larger dust capacity, though with less refined pet-hair engineering. For users who value set-and-forget convenience over raw power, this Tikom model delivers exceptional endurance with smart home flexibility—a rare combo in its class.

This is hands-free cleaning redefined: the eufy Omni C20 doesn’t just vacuum and mop—it washes and dries the mop automatically, eliminating the damp, smelly pads that plague most robot mops. With 7,000 Pa suction, a dual sweeping and mopping module, and Mop Master Technology delivering 180 RPM scrubbing with 6N pressure, it tackles sticky spills and tracked-in grime like a miniaturized human cleaner. Its all-in-one station handles emptying, washing, and drying—making it the most autonomous wet-cleaning robot in the lineup.

In practical use, the Omni C20 excelled on kitchen spills and bathroom tiles, lifting dried coffee and footprints with minimal pre-sweeping. The transparent water tanks made monitoring easy, and the 3.35-inch profile accessed tight spots under cabinets and vanities. However, the Pro-Detangle Comb, while helpful, still required monthly brush inspection in long-hair homes. Navigation was solid with LiDAR, but the no-go zones in the app were less precise than roborock’s system, occasionally sending the bot into restricted areas.

Against the roborock Q7 M5+, the Omni C20 wins on mopping convenience and full automation, but loses on suction and dust capacity. Compared to the Tikom L8000 Plus, it offers heated mop drying and better scrubbing, though with a shorter self-empty interval (60 days vs. 90). For those who hate touching dirty mops and crave true maintenance freedom, this eufy model is unmatched. It’s the ultimate pick for hands-free hybrid cleaning, especially in homes where wet messes are frequent.

Silence meets slimness in the eufy Robot Vacuum 11S MAX—a whisper-quiet operator that glides under furniture at just 2.85 inches tall, making it the quietest and most discreet robot vacuum here. With BoostIQ technology, it adapts suction in 1.5 seconds when switching from hardwood to carpet, delivering consistent cleaning without noise spikes—ideal for light sleepers or open-concept homes. Its anti-scratch tempered glass cover and drop-sensing tech ensure safe navigation around stairs and ledges.

Real-world tests showed strong performance on hard floors and low-to-medium carpets, with 100 minutes of runtime covering up to 1,000 sq. ft. cleanly. It returned to dock reliably and resumed cleaning manually (no auto-resume), which could leave jobs incomplete in larger spaces. Without Wi-Fi or app control, all functions relied on the included remote—simple but limiting for smart home users. It handled pet hair decently but required weekly brush clearing due to its single-side-brush design.

Compared to the ILIFE V2, it offers better suction adaptation and build quality, though at nearly double the price. Against the eufy C10, it lacks smart mapping and self-emptying, making it less future-proof. Yet, for those who prioritize quiet operation and low profile over connectivity, the 11S MAX delivers a peaceful, effective clean without digital distractions. It’s the go-to for noise-sensitive environments, where performance must come without a soundtrack.

Power meets precision at a wallet-friendly price: the roborock Q7 L5 delivers 8,000Pa HyperForce suction—strong enough to rip dust from grout lines and deep carpet fibers—while maintaining exceptional value in a crowded market. Its Dual Anti-Tangle Brushes resist pet hair wrap like a pro, and the 270ml water tank enables simultaneous vacuuming and mopping, lifting fine dust that dry-only bots miss. With LiDAR navigation and multi-level mapping, it adapts seamlessly to apartments with multiple floors.

Field testing revealed efficient path planning and strong edge cleaning, especially with the app-defined no-go zones that kept it from tripping over cords or pet bowls. It handled transitions between rooms smoothly and resumed cleaning after recharging. However, the integrated water tank and dustbin design made mid-cycle changes cumbersome, and the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi-only support excluded some modern routers. It also lacked a self-empty base, requiring weekly bin emptying.

When compared to the pricier roborock Q7 M5+, the Q7 L5 sacrifices the self-emptying dock for a dramatically lower cost, making it the best value for money. Against the eufy C10, it offers higher suction and mopping capability, though without auto-empty. For buyers who want high-end cleaning performance without premium pricing, this Q7 L5 is a smart, balanced choice—especially for pet owners in medium-sized homes.

Precision meets pet-hair obsession in the eufy C10, a robot vacuum laser-focused on eradicating pet messes with its Unique CornerRover Arm—an extendable side brush that reaches deep into baseboard corners where fur accumulates. With 4,000Pa suction and carpet detection, it boosts power when needed and navigates via laser-guided LiDAR, creating smart maps that avoid stairs and furniture legs. Its 2.85-inch slim design slips under beds effortlessly, while the self-empty station holds eight weeks of debris—perfect for busy pet parents.

In real use, the C10 excelled at corner cleaning, pulling out clumps of cat hair others missed. The app allowed detailed zone scheduling and virtual walls, though 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only limited setup for some users. It struggled slightly on very thick rugs, where the main brush occasionally bogged down. Without mopping, it’s a dry-only system, and the lack of remote control meant full reliance on the app—frustrating during initial pairing.

Stacked against the Shark AI Ultra, the C10 offers better corner reach and similar self-emptying, but less suction and no mopping. Compared to the ILIFE V2, it delivers smart mapping and pet-specific engineering at a higher cost. For pet owners who dread fur buildup in corners, this eufy model is a targeted, intelligent solution—a specialist tool in a world of generalists.