How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin 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 take care of larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to 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 objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. best robot cleaner was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to clean your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one go. Find models that have an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to get rid of light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be dried, washed, and used again.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can, use the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.