How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top 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 pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that can 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 robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however 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 cannot mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select one that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
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 when you are away. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. self vacuum 's also the highest price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one pass. Look for models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light in order to know where they are moving. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
The models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.