How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. good robot vacuum do a good job picking up dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing stairs.
In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to cover larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. good robot vacuum lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily 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 pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning as 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 downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum to complete an entire task in one sweep. Find a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best suited for small spaces. 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, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and most need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.