How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing steps.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in 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 using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to get 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 comes with a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptying and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the task in one step. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. for beginners can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac is 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, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. 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 need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to create maps of the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.