In every home, there’s a good mixture of different floor types. This includes carpet, hardwood, linoleum, and tile floors. Tile floors in particular, are one of the most common types found in most homes. However, they can look dirty if not cleaned often. Because of this, many ask the question: does a robot vacuum work on tile?

Do robot vacuums work on tile? Robot vacuums work well on tile. In fact, some robot vacuum models are hybrids that can vacuum and mop interchangeably. This feature allows robot vacuums to effectively clean dust and dirt from different floor types, including linoleum and tile floors.

With that said, there are several considerations when using a robot vacuum cleaner on tile floors. In this post, we will talk about robot vacuums and tile floors, including choosing the right robot vacuum cleaner that are not only friendly for your tile floors, but can clean them effectively as well.

Can You Use a Vacuum on Tile?

Can a vacuum cleaner be used on tiles? Yes, a vacuum cleaner can be used on tiles. In fact, many experts recommend using a powerful vacuum cleaner to remove surface dirt before mopping and/or scrubbing to best clean and maintain tile floors. Doing so will result in less dust build-up over time.

While tile is easier to clean than most other floor types, it can gather a lot of dust and harmful particles. These don't usually disappear with normal sweeping. Only vacuuming can pick the dust and dirt up effectively. This is the reason experts recommend using a vacuum cleaner to clean your tile floors.

Does a Robot Vacuum Work on Tile Floors?

While tile floors look beautiful, they can look extremely dirty if not cleaned regularly. Additionally, tiles tend to showcase more dust and dirt more than rugs, carpets, and other types of floors. This is especially true for light-colored tiles. For this reason, tile floors need extra care and need to be cleaned more often. 

According to Real Simple, there are 12 different types of tiles. Ceramic tile is one of the most common types of tile found in the home because it's suitable for many applications. Fortunately, one of the main benefits of tile floors is that they are easier to clean and maintain, especially if you use the right robot vacuum cleaner. 

For the most part, almost all robot vacuum cleaners work well on linoleum and tile floors. Even the cheapest model of robot vacuum will do a good job on tile floors. However, if you want to take care of expensive tile floors, you may want to invest in the best to prevent any scratches on the surface.

Do Roombas Work on Tile Floors?

Because the iRobot Roomba Series is one of the most popular robot vacuums in the world, many ask the question: will a Roomba work on tile? This is understandable, though, as tile floors are very common in many houses. Many Roomba models are also advertised as being able to pick up pet hair as well. 

So, do Roombas work on tile floors? iRobot Roomba Series robot vacuums work well on tile floors. With its powerful suction and high-density brushes, the Roomba 650 can clean dust and dirt on tile floors effectively. Another model from iRobot, the Braava Jet M6, can sweep and mop your tile floors until they shine.

How to Choose the Right Robot Vacuum for Tile

Nobody enjoys cleaning tiles. From the dirty water, to the gross mop fibers, it’s a burdensome task that everyone wants to avoid. Fortunately, robot vacuums are here to make your life easier. By employing the simple robot vacuum tips below, you will keep your tile floors sparkling clean all the time:

1. Choose a Hybrid Robot Mop/Vacuum

Robot mops are a growing category. They are designed to mop your floors automatically. Generally, all robot mops come with liquid reservoirs (where you can fill up with water or cleaning solution) and microfiber cloths. These two tools work in unison to scrub your floors and clean up dirt. 

Robot mops come in two variations: single-purpose or hybrid. Single-purpose robot mops can't vacuum floors, and are only designed to mop floors. Hence the name, single-purpose robot mops. However, some robot mop models can dry-sweep to clear an area before they start mopping.

Related: Do Robot Vacuums Work on Dark Floors?

Hybrids, on the other hand, can mop and vacuum. They have attachments for microfiber cloths that you need to manually wet with water, or a cleaning solution, before it runs around your home. They also feature smart sensors to help them autonomously navigate around your furniture. 

If you want to take the best care of your tile floors, choose a hybrid. While hybrids are more expensive, they're better equipped to work on tile floors. Additionally, they have useful features like app control, voice control (via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant), and even interactivity with other smart home devices.

2. Find a Robot Vacuum with Soft Bristles

The bristles are a part of a robot vacuum that flick the dirt off the floor. Therefore, finding a robot vacuum with the right bristles is very important. If the bristles are too hard, you run the risk of scratching your tile floors. Make sure that the bristles are high-density, yet soft enough to ensure the dust is picked up effectively.

3. Find a Robot Vacuum with Powerful Suction

When it comes to robot vacuums, suction is important. However, it is more important when cleaning tile floors as you need to suck the dirt without leaving any trace. While carpets can better disguise dust, the smallest piece of dirt can be seen on tile floors. So, it’s best to find a robot vacuum with a powerful suction.

Final Words

And there you have it, a simple post to answer the question: do robot vacuums work on tile? As with regular vacuum cleaners, robot mops and vacuums do a good job of keeping your tile floors clean. However, they are best used for regular maintenance and are not complete substitutes for manual scrubbing.

You may also want to read our comparison reviews:

• Do robot vacuums work on carpet?
• How to prevent Roomba from scratching floors
• How much electricity Roomba uses