How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those with 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 that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease 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 time, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more 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 like baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they can't handle fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
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. Find models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. They are also able to be dried, washed and used again.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. robot vacuum cleaners are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. Consider getting a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up use this. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
They can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.