Last year, robot vacuum cleaners seemed to be going in a slightly bonkers direction, adding complex features that weren’t as useful as they might seem (yes, I’m looking at you, Roborock Saros Z70 with your robotic arm). At CES 2026, the focus was very much on new features that are genuinely useful.
Once robots got to the point where they could vacuum powerfully and mop thoroughly, the challenges have been more about how they fit into our homes and the environment around them. CES 2026 had plenty of examples of how robot vacuum cleaners can better fit into our homes.
Roborock Saros Rover
Still a product in development with no official launch date, the Roborock Saros Rover is the first robot vacuum cleaner with legs. Able to operate them independently, each leg can be raised or lowered, and the Saros Rover can even perform little jumps.
Its most important ability is that the legs can lift the chassis high off the floor, so that the Rover can climb steps. The CES demonstration showed the robot climbing steps, cleaning each one as it went, with the promise that the product can handle spiral staircases and bullnose stairs, as well as the wide, flat steps demoed.
As someone who lives in a Victorian terrace house, which doesn’t have a single floor on one level, with steps everywhere, including one chunky step from the kitchen to the hallway, this kind of robot could be a game-changer. Roll on the final product.
LG built-in robot vacuum station
Officially launched in August at IFA, but shown off properly at CES 2026, the LG-built-in robot vacuum station is designed for European homes, which are typically smaller than their American counterparts.
Rather than having a big, ugly dock on display, LG’s dock is designed to fit into the space below a kitchen sink, with an auto open/close door at the plinth level. When you want to clean, the door opens, and the robot goes out; when it’s finished, it parks up, and the door closes, leaving the robot hidden.
That’s back to the old days when robots only had a self-charge station, so they could be placed under a sideboard or sofa, but LG’s station is an improvement, as it has dust collection, and it’s plumbed in for automatic mop cleaning and water filling.
Eufy Omni S2
The Eufy Omni S1 Pro was something of a revolutionary: it was the first robot vacuum cleaner that I’d tested to use a roller mop instead of a mop pad. Its successor builds on that. There’s an improved HydroJet self-cleaning roller mopping system, and the S2’s docking station has a system that electrolyses tap water to kill 99.99% of household germs.
Suction is rated at 30,000Pa, with carpet-type detection allowing the robot to adjust suction and pressure automatically. And, there’s an adaptive chassis, allowing the S2 to lift up to 5cm for threshold climbing, as well as moving over deep pile carpets and rugs.
It’s the integrated aromatherapy system that is truly different. There’s a choice of Citrus and Basil, Bamboo and Sage, and Bergamot and Lychee, with the scent released during each cleaning cycle.
I’m a big fan of the Odour Capsules in Shark’s range, such as the Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty IP3251UKT, which release a gentle scent into the air. Cleaning properly is the most important thing, but leaving a fresh scent makes any area feel cleaner.
