How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large 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 capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as 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 can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot the last time it was used which makes it easier to cover larger areas. This model is a great option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with 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 does. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they can't handle fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. 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 recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.
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 capable of picking up dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
auto vacuum are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one move. Find a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
The new sensors don't solve all issues with these machines however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced and most need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.