How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for models with 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 keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to 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 can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot works. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
Although best robot floor cleaner 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 objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. But they don't pick up small particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum 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. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This has reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. Look into one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful if you have pets or small 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 making your purchase.