How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. robot cleaner can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app provides the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few 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 could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be empty and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have mixed flooring, look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues that these devices have however. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot go, which can be useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.