How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. robot vacuum deals do a good job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model equipped 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 tried several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing steps.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to tackle larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
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 that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up 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 don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are excellent at of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one move. If you have mixed flooring you should look for one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to get rid of light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and reused.
Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. These advances reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines, however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light to be able to know where they are moving. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to map the area. Our top pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.