Can Robot Vacuums Go Over Transition Strips (Explained)

Most robot vacuums are capable of going over transition strips.

They are designed to be high enough to climb over them easily and some have sensors that allow them to adjust to going over it.

While there are a lot of robot vacuums that can go over transition strips, there are also some that do not.

Let’s Find Out If Robot Vacuums Can Go Over Transition Strips.

Overall, robot vacuums are designed to be able to navigate a variety of floor types and transition strips with ease.

Robot Vacuums Go Over Transition Strips
Robot vacuum goes over transition strips from tiles to the wooden floor.

Typically, when a robot vacuum encounters a transition strip, its sensors will detect the change in height and trigger the robot’s algorithm to adjust its cleaning pattern.

The robot will slow down and approach the strip more cautiously, using its sensors to detect the height of the strip and adjust its wheels to climb up or down as needed.

Some robot vacuums may also have a feature that allows them to detect and remember the location of transition strips, so they can more easily navigate over them in the future without slowing down or stopping.

Whether a robot vacuum can go over transition strips depends on the height and design of the strip, as well as the features of the vacuum.

Most robot vacuums can generally handle small transition strips of up to around 0.6 inches (15mm) in height without any issues.

However, if the transition strip is higher than this, the robot vacuum may have difficulty navigating over it or may even get stuck.

To avoid these issues, many robot vacuums are designed with features that help them navigate over transition strips.

Some vacuums have larger wheels or climbing abilities that can easily move over carpet edges or raised thresholds, while others have sensors that detect changes in height and adjust their cleaning patterns accordingly.

It’s important to check the specifications and reviews of a robot vacuum before purchasing to see how well it handles transition strips and other types of obstacles.


Related:

What Happens If Robot Vacuums Attempt To Go Over The Transition Strip?

Transition strips, also known as carpet edges, are raised areas between two different types of flooring, such as between a hardwood floor and a carpeted area.

If a robot vacuum attempts to go over a transition strip, there are a few things that can happen:

Getting stuck

Depending on the height of the transition strip and the design of the robot vacuum, it may get stuck on the edge and be unable to move forward or backward.

This can result in the vacuum being unable to complete its cleaning cycle until it’s manually moved to a different area.

Damaging the vacuum: If the transition strip is high enough, it may cause damage to the robot vacuum’s wheels or brushes.

In extreme cases, it could even cause the vacuum to tip over, potentially damaging other parts of the vacuum.

Incomplete cleaning

If the robot vacuum is unable to navigate over a transition strip, it may leave areas of the floor uncleaned.

This can result in the vacuum being less effective in cleaning a room or area.

To avoid these issues, many robot vacuums are designed with features that help them navigate over transition strips.

Some vacuums have larger wheels that can easily move over carpet edges, while others have sensors that detect changes in height and adjust their cleaning patterns accordingly.

Before purchasing a robot vacuum, it’s a good idea to check its specifications and reviews to see how well it handles transition strips.

Will Go Over Transition Strips Damage Robot Vacuums?

Going over transition strips can potentially damage robot vacuums, especially if the strip is high or the vacuum is not designed to handle it.

If the vacuum tries to climb over a transition strip that is too high or has a sharp edge, it may get stuck or even tip over, causing damage to the wheels or brushes.

In extreme cases, it could even damage other parts of the vacuum or the surface it’s cleaning.

To avoid damaging the vacuum, it’s important to choose a robot vacuum that is designed to handle transition strips and other obstacles.

Before purchasing a robot vacuum, check its specifications and reviews to see how well it navigates over different types of flooring transitions.

It’s also essential to ensure that the transition strip is securely fastened and does not pose a tripping hazard for people walking over it.

Which Robot Vacuums Can And Can’t Go Over Transition Strips?

Most robot vacuums can generally handle small transition strips of up to around 0.6 inches (15mm) in height without any issues.

However, if the transition strip is higher than this, the robot vacuum may have difficulty navigating over it or may even get stuck.

Some robot vacuums are specifically designed to handle different types of flooring transitions. These vacuums may have larger wheels or specialized sensors to detect changes in height and adjust their cleaning patterns accordingly.

Other robot vacuums may not be designed to handle transition strips or may have limited climbing abilities.

It’s important to check the specifications and reviews of a robot vacuum before purchasing to see how well it handles transition strips and other types of obstacles.

It’s also important to ensure that the transition strip is securely fastened and does not pose a tripping hazard for people walking over it.

The iRobot Roomba 880 and the Roborock S5 are two examples of robot vacuums that are very capable of going over transition strips and thresholds.

Some generic or old brands of robot vacuums may not be able to travel over the transition strips, but most modern versions can with no problem.

Final Thoughts

If you have a lot of transition in your home and you are worried that your robot vacuum may get stuck on them or may not be able to get over them, you should check the specs of the vacuum before you buy it to make sure it can navigate your home easily and keep it clean.

Sources

4 Best Robot Vacuum To Go Over Threshold for 2023 – Homelization

Can A Robot Vacuum Cleaner Go Over Thresholds? (living-smarter.com)

Can Robot Vacuums Go Over Bumps – Cleaning Beasts