How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it does. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that 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 simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item 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 alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. good robot vacuum 's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. good robot vacuum are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have mixed flooring you should look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be dried, washed and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests that these robots are designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot incident.
However, the new sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. You should consider a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up do this. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
The models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot go, which can be beneficial if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.