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

• Does not matter92, 92 models
• Mostly hard floors (laminate, tiles, wood, PVC)92, 92 models
• A mix, with rugs or some carpet92, 92 models
• Mostly carpet76, 76 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 matter92, 92 models
• Yes, pets (covers long hair too)76, 76 models
• Yes, long hair (no pets)76, 76 models
• No92, 92 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 matter92, 92 models
• Not needed92, 92 models
• Freshening is enough92, 92 models
• Yes, real mopping91, 91 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 matter92, 92 models
• Emptying the bin myself is fine92, 92 models
• As little as possible: it may empty itself92, 92 models
• Nothing: everything automatic, mop included92, 92 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 matter92, 92 models
• Up to 2 cm, or none92, 92 models
• Higher than 2 cm, up to 4 cm1, 1 model
• 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 matter92, 92 models
• Rarely92, 92 models
• Sometimes75, 75 models
• Often37, 37 models

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

• Does not matter92, 92 models
• Only robots that fit under low furniture14, 14 models

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

• Does not matter92, 92 models
• Only robots whose dock connects to the water supply8, 8 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 matter92, 92 models
• Up to 60 dB27, 27 models
• Up to 65 dB64, 64 models
• Up to 70 dB73, 73 models

The noise level the maker states. A model without a stated level is in no band.

• Does not matter92, 92 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 matter92, 92 models
• Up to 8 cm2, 2 models
• Up to 9 cm15, 15 models
• Up to 10 cm68, 68 models

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

• all92, 92 models
• ★★★★☆ 4 stars or higher30, 30 models
• ★★★☆☆ 3 stars or higher31, 31 models
• ★★☆☆☆ 2 stars or higher31, 31 models
• ★☆☆☆☆ 1 star or higher31, 31 models

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

• Does not matter92, 92 models
• 5% & up27, 27 models
• 20% & up7, 7 models
• 30% & up2, 2 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 matter92, 92 models
• Alexa82, 82 models
• Google Home80, 80 models
• Apple HomeKit0, 0 models
• SmartThings14, 14 models
• Home Assistant33, 33 models
• Matter14, 14 models

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