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

• Does not matter12, 12 models
• Mostly hard floors (laminate, tiles, wood, PVC)12, 12 models
• A mix, with rugs or some carpet12, 12 models
• Mostly carpet9, 9 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 matter12, 12 models
• Yes, pets (covers long hair too)9, 9 models
• Yes, long hair (no pets)9, 9 models
• No12, 12 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 matter12, 12 models
• Not needed12, 12 models
• Freshening is enough12, 12 models
• Yes, real mopping7, 7 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 matter12, 12 models
• Emptying the bin myself is fine12, 12 models
• As little as possible: it may empty itself12, 12 models
• Nothing: everything automatic, mop included7, 7 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 matter12, 12 models
• Up to 2 cm, or none12, 12 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 matter12, 12 models
• Rarely12, 12 models
• Sometimes7, 7 models
• Often3, 3 models

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

• Does not matter12, 12 models
• Only robots that fit under low furniture1, 1 model

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

• Does not matter12, 12 models
• Only robots whose dock connects to the water supply2, 2 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)

• all12, 12 models
• ★★★★★ 5 stars0, 0 models
• ★★★★☆ 4 stars or higher11, 11 models
• ★★★☆☆ 3 stars or higher11, 11 models
• ★★☆☆☆ 2 stars or higher11, 11 models
• ★☆☆☆☆ 1 star or higher11, 11 models

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

• Does not matter12, 12 models
• 5% & up4, 4 models
• 20% & up3, 3 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.