How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive ones can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners since 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 an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. robotic vacuum cleaner has a huge charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one step. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not 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 at the docking station to save you time. They are also able to be dried, washed and used again.
Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up an area where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light to be able to see where they are going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
These models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is a great option when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.