How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Choose models that have 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 the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum with a high rating 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 a few are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. robot vacuum cleaners loved its navigation on bare floors as well as carpets. 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 charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptying, 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 operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one step. If you have mixed flooring, look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's 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 comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. They are also able to be washed, dried 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 that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to manually 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 could help them avoid household items that traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light in order to know where they are going. Look into one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our top model and the runners-up do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition 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. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.
Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is a great option for those with pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.