How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. 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 dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing steps.
When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it last stopped and makes it much easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is a great option for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. self cleaning vacuum were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has 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 havoc). 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 choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one go. If you have floors that are mixed choose one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic 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 also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors don't solve all issues that these devices have, however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to know where they are going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to trace the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being able to work 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. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.