How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of 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's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught 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 has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we loved its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be empty, and it has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vac uum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one sweep. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. 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 you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name suggests that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors don't solve all issues with these devices however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination in order to be able to see where they're moving. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.