How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic 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 refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger homes. 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, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app provides the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. automatic vacuum cleaner don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete an entire task in one pass. If you have floors that are mixed, look for one 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 switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For robot vacuum cleaner best can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our top overall pick and runner-up models do this. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is a great option for those with pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.