CES 2026 Robot Vacuum Trends: 35,000 Pa Suction and the Rise of Stair-Climbing Bots

The era of "fancy but useless" robot vacuums is officially over. At CES 2026, the industry's titans have shifted their focus from experimental gimmicks back to what truly matters: raw cleaning power and flawless navigation. With suction numbers hitting a staggering 35,000 Pa, these machines are no longer just assistants—they're becoming total manual vacuum replacements.

The Suction War: Roborock vs. Dreame at CES 2026

Roborock and Dreame are locked in a high-stakes power struggle. Both brands unveiled flagship models boasting 35,000 Pa suction. Roborock’s new Saros 20 Sonic features an extendable sonic mopping pad that reaches "zero millimeters" against baseboards. Not to be outdone, Dreame showcased the X60 Max Ultra, matching that power and adding a "Deep Carpet Cleaning" mode for plush rugs up to 1.2 inches thick.

Beyond the Robot: Cordless Innovations from Narwal and Tineco

While robots stole the spotlight, cordless stick vacuums are seeing a massive resurgence. Narwal entered the stick vac market with the V50, an auto-emptying vacuum weighing only 3.1 pounds—significantly lighter than many competitors. Meanwhile, Tineco debuted the i7 Fold, which can lay 180 degrees flat to clean under furniture where most robots still struggle to reach.