How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing steps.
In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it 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 reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks 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, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. self vacuum and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. If you have floors that are mixed choose one with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these devices however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light in order 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 purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
These models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested, so be sure to read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.