How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart 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 debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one go. If you have mixed flooring, look for models with an onboard sensor that detects any 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 you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. 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 see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up do this. robotic vacuum cleaner best lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all of the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.