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 top models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences like those with 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 they won't trip up when climbing steps.
When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. robot vacuum cleaner Robot Vacuum Mops do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item 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 has a huge charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptied and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one pass. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name suggests that these robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This has decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all issues with these machines however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones did and, in addition, they need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.