How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip 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 comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger spaces. 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 discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a less effective 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 rugs. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a damp 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 rpm. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. check these guys out has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other 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 robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. If you have mixed flooring choose a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors don't solve all issues with these machines, however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light in order to see where they are going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.