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 picking up dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model that uses 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 dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. robotic vacuum cleaners can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app provides the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
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 when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Find one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can use the app to create an area where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and most need a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.