How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it stopped last which makes it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app offers a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning as our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. best robot cleaner robotvacuummops allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are great for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced, and many of them need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.