How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with 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 also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. talks about it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. robot vacuum cleaner lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. The app provides the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. 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 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one go. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, 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.
When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot incident.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require some level of illumination to know where they are moving. You should consider one that has a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to map the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that might hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to read our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.