The best robot vacuum under € 500 in 2026 in the Netherlands

• Does not matter50, 50 models
• Mostly hard floors (laminate, tiles, wood, PVC)50, 50 models
• A mix, with rugs or some carpet50, 50 models
• Mostly carpet23, 23 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 matter50, 50 models
• Yes, pets (covers long hair too)23, 23 models
• Yes, long hair (no pets)23, 23 models
• No50, 50 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 matter50, 50 models
• Not needed50, 50 models
• Freshening is enough49, 49 models
• Yes, real mopping0, 0 models

Mopping freshens the floor. Real stains rarely come off. Spinning or roller mops paired with self-cleaning stations deliver the most effective floor cleaning.

• Does not matter50, 50 models
• Emptying the bin myself is fine50, 50 models
• As little as possible: it may empty itself50, 50 models
• Nothing: everything automatic, mop included0, 0 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 matter50, 50 models
• Up to 2 cm, or none50, 50 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 matter50, 50 models
• Rarely50, 50 models
• Sometimes6, 6 models
• Often1, 1 model

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

• Does not matter50, 50 models
• Only robots that fit under low furniture9, 9 models

It must also fit under low furniture (less than 9 cm of room)

• Does not matter50, 50 models
• Only robots whose dock connects to the water supply0, 0 models

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)

• Does not matter50, 50 models
• Laser (lidar)0, 0 models
• Camera0, 0 models
• Gyroscope0, 0 models

How the robot finds its way, as the maker describes it.

• Does not matter50, 50 models
• Up to 8 cm4, 4 models
• Up to 9 cm10, 10 models
• Up to 10 cm44, 44 models

The robot's height as the maker states it. A model without a stated height is in no band.

• all shops50, 50 models
• Dutch shops50, 50 models
• Dutch-language shops, including foreign50, 50 models

Lowest price at every shop that delivers to the Netherlands, VAT and delivery included. * = delivery cost and VAT estimated for a foreign shop.

• all50, 50 models
• ★★★★☆ 4 stars or higher3, 3 models
• ★★★☆☆ 3 stars or higher4, 4 models
• ★★☆☆☆ 2 stars or higher4, 4 models
• ★☆☆☆☆ 1 star or higher4, 4 models

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

• Does not matter50, 50 models
• 5% & up13, 13 models
• 20% & up5, 5 models
• 30% & up1, 1 model
• 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.