How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests 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. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it works. Full Document offers the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Full Document is that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its excellent navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be empty and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They 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 most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and reused.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making 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 and schedule specific cleaning sessions. 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, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these devices, however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination in order to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.