The best robot vacuum under 500 € in 2026 in Germany

• Does not matter10, 10 models
• Mostly hard floors (laminate, tiles, wood, PVC)10, 10 models
• A mix, with rugs or some carpet5, 5 models
• Mostly carpet5, 5 models

With carpet and rugs the robot must lift or drop its mop, or the rug gets wet. Or you put the rug in a no-go zone, so the robot skips it and does not drive on it.

• Does not matter10, 10 models
• Yes, pets (covers long hair too)10, 10 models
• Yes, long hair (no pets)10, 10 models
• No10, 10 models

Hair wraps around the brush. An anti-tangle brush prevents that. A camera that recognises droppings prevents the other well-known accident.

• Does not matter10, 10 models
• Emptying the bin myself is fine10, 10 models
• As little as possible: it may empty itself10, 10 models
• Nothing: everything automatic, mop included10, 10 models

A station can empty the bin, wash and dry the mop and refill water. The more it does, the bigger and dearer it is.

• Does not matter10, 10 models
• Up to 2 cm, or none10, 10 models
• Higher than 2 cm, up to 4 cm0, 0 models
• Higher than 4 cm0, 0 models

Most robots cross 2 cm. Higher thresholds need a climbing system. Measure under your sofa too: a low robot fits underneath.

• Does not matter10, 10 models
• Rarely10, 10 models
• Sometimes6, 6 models
• Often5, 5 models

A robot with a camera recognises small items and drives around them. Without one it drives over them or gets stuck.

• Does not matter10, 10 models
• Only robots whose dock connects to the water supply1, 1 model

The dock must connect to the water supply and the drain, so I never fill or empty a tank (with a separate kit on some models)

• all10, 10 models
• ★★★★☆ 4 stars or higher2, 2 models
• ★★★☆☆ 3 stars or higher2, 2 models
• ★★☆☆☆ 2 stars or higher2, 2 models
• ★☆☆☆☆ 1 star or higher2, 2 models

Counts only models with at least 20 reviews: with fewer, the average says little.

• Does not matter10, 10 models
• 5% & up0, 0 models
• 20% & up0, 0 models
• 30% & up0, 0 models
• 50% & up0, 0 models

Below what the same shop usually asked in the 30 days before, at a shop we followed on all those days.

• Does not matter10, 10 models
• Alexa10, 10 models
• Google Home10, 10 models
• Apple HomeKit0, 0 models
• SmartThings0, 0 models
• Home Assistant7, 7 models
• Matter0, 0 models

Based on the voice assistants and Matter support the maker lists. A model that lists none of them is left out.