Gone are the days of manually vacuuming and mopping for hours. Robot vacuums have become a popular choice thanks to their hands-free convenience; however, many new users worry about potential damage, particularly scratches on hard flooring. With 52% of American homes having wood floors, which are prone to scratches, this concern is especially relevant – after all, what’s the point of investing in one if it risks damaging your home?
Let's examine the impact of such devices on different flooring types, especially wood and vinyl floors, to decide if robot vacuums are a safe investment for hassle-free cleaning.
Do Robot Vacuum Scratch Floors?
No, most modern robot vacuums, including DEEBOT series, do not scratch hardwood or vinyl floors, thanks to rubberized wheels, soft brushes and advanced obstacle detection sensors. However, debris like sand or small rocks trapped underneath can cause minor scratches, so regular cleaning and maintenance are essential for floor protection.
Object detection and avoidance technologies also help prevent marks on floors. Take the DEEBOT T50 PRO OMNI as an example: its AIVI 3D 3.0 OMNI-Approach Technology, powered by a Vision-Language Model, identifies obstacles in real-time and further uses their contours as boundaries for edge cleaning. This allows the device to clean tightly around obstacles, maximizing coverage while avoiding sharp objects that could scratch floors.
On the other hand, soft, rubber-coated wheels and brushes, which make the most contact with the floor, reduce friction on delicate surfaces. The self-emptying OMNI Station further add a layer of protection, as its Hot Water Mop-Washing and Hot Air Drying system keeps the mop pad clean, automatically removing potential hazards before they can cause damage.
Best DEEBOT Smart Vacuums That Won’t Scratch Floors
At ECOVACS, the DEEBOT smart vacuum series is designed to provide powerful cleans. Protecting your floors is equally prioritized, with soft, non-abrasive brushes and rubber wheels installed. Here are three notable models to consider and why:
DEEBOT X8 PRO OMNI
DEEBOT X8 PRO OMNI is one of the best equipped robot vacuums to protect your floors. With its OZMO ROLLER Instant Self-Washing Mopping Technology, it continuously rinses the mop pad as it cleans, preventing dirt or tiny sharp objects from getting dragged across the floor.
For obstacle detection, AIVI 3D 3.0 Omni-Approach Technology utilizes deep-learning neural networks and a dual structured light system and RGBD sensors to recognize and avoid hazards like cords and pet toys in real time. Meanwhile, the TruEdge 3D Edge Sensor allows the vacuum to clean close to furniture and obstacles without unnecessary contact. It also comes with durable hair-and-rubber main brush that won’t hurt your wood, vinyl and other delicate surfaces.
Features to prevent floor scratches:
● Material: hair&rubber
● Navigation: dToF
● Obstacle Avoidance: RGBD
DEEBOT T50 PRO OMNI
DEEBOT T50 PRO OMNI is a slim smart vacuum that has an ultra-thin 3.19-inch design that fit through most tight spaces and under furniture. Don’t worry! When cleaning these hard-to-reach areas, its 3D structured light and AI-powered RGB cameras work alongside a fully embedded dToF LiDAR module, powering the robot vacuum to “see” and identify dirt to pick up and obstacles to avoid, reducing the risk of floor damages even in confined spaces.
Meanwhile, its TruEdge 2.0 Adaptive Edge Cleaning technology features a dynamic side brush and a continuously adjusting mop plate that maintains a 1mm proximity to edges, and thus stopping it from forcefully pushing obstacles. The AIVI 3D 3.0 OMNI-Approach Technology further enables the machine to clean gently yet tightly around obstacles.
Features to prevent floor scratches:
● Material: hair&rubber
● Navigation: Fully-Embedded dToF LiDAR
● Obstacle Avoidance: RGB AI+3D structured light
DEEBOT N30 PRO OMNI
With 10,000Pa suction power1, DEEBOT N30 PRO OMNI effectively removes debris without dragging. Before starting a cleaning session, it’s a good idea to take advantage of TrueMapping 2.0 technology, which can map a 100-square-meter area in just 6 minutes2, helping the vacuum identify obstacles that could cause damage if run over.
If there is an area you want the machine to avoid, for instance, a box of nails accidentally dropped in the living room, you can easily set no-go zones via the ECOVACS HOME App to minimize the risk of scratches.
Features to prevent floor scratches:
● Material: hair&rubber
● Navigation: LDS
● Obstacle Avoidance: Laser Obstacle Avoidance
How To Prevent Robot Vacuum To Damage Floors?
To clean hardwood floors and other non-scratch-proof floors safely, let’s first look at the factors that could cause damages. When shopping for robotic vacuum cleaners, consider the brush type as stiff brushes may scratch delicate surfaces; instead, opt for high-quality models with soft brushes and rubbery wheels that are gentle on all floor types. Advanced sensors further support smooth navigation around obstacles without dragging.
Next, objects that are stuck in the wheels and brushes may damage its internal components and could possibly scratch your ground when it moves. Set up your home properly before starting the cleaning session: this doesn't mean you should vacuum manually first; simply remove anything that might get caught in the wheels, especially small, hard and sharp objects like metal nails and Lego pieces.
Another issue is the lack of maintenance – which is also the cause of other issues such as robot vacuum keeps stopping. Not cleaning the vacuum regularly allows debris to build up, which may eventually cause scratches or dents. Cleaning the brushes and emptying the dustbin to protect the surfaces and lengthen its lifespan. Too busy to keep up? Self-cleaning vacuums, such as DEEBOT X8 PRO OMNI, T50 PRO OMNI and N30 PRO OMNI, automatically clean themselves after each use, preventing debris from carrying over to the next session and causing damage.
While some robot floor cleaners may run over objects and drag them around, DEEBOT robot vacuums are equipped with sophisticated navigation and obstacle avoidance features, along with advanced LiDAR and AI-powered sensors, to protect your floors against this issue.
FAQ
Are robot vacuums safe for luxury vinyl floors?
Yes, high-quality robot vacuums like the DEEBOT series are safe for luxury vinyl floors, thanks to non-abrasive materials of the brushes, rubber-coated wheels, and sophisticated obstacle avoidance sensors and algorithm to avoid potential hazards. Regular maintenance on the brushes and wheels greatly helps prevent debris buildup that could cause scratches.
What features to look for in a robot vacuum to prevent floor damage?
To protect your floor, choose a robotic vacuum cleaner that comes with soft brushes, rubbery wheels, advanced navigation sensors, obstacle avoidance technology and adjustable cleaning settings to properly clean different flooring materials.
Can I use a robot vacuum on vinyl plank floors?
Yes, you can use a robot vacuum on vinyl plank floors. Vinyl flooring often has gaps between floorboards that trap dust and debris, so choosing a model with strong suction power to lift up dirt. Plus, vinyl floors are made from wear-resistant materials, thus you can trust a robot vacuum and mop to vacuum and mop in one go. For the best results, opt for a model with precise navigation and adjustable cleaning modes for floor protection.
Disclaimer(s):
- 10,000Pa: This data comes from ECOVACS laboratory. The suction power of DEEBOT N30 PRO OMNI can reach 10,000Pa.
- 6 minutes: The result is based on internal laboratory test, and may not fully represent the exact performance of our products in all scenarios. It is essential to recognize that real-world performance can be influenced by various external factors, such as environmental conditions, usage patterns, etc. Consumers are encouraged to consider these variables and make informed decisions based on their specific needs.
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