How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though 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 that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. top robot vacuum are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
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 while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature 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 fantastic alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be programmed to only run during certain times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. 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 lets it effortlessly transition 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 has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to get rid of light dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. Look into one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
The models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.