How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model equipped 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 tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have 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 can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
Compared 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 does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. 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 a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted areas 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, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one step. Look for models that have an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust 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 primarily composed of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. budget robot vacuum help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be dried, washed and used again.
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 where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less 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
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues that these devices have, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, since 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 let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.