How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and light debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing steps.
In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it 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 is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up 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 and mop that lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. 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 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option 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 and we loved its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
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 has a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one step. If you have floors that are mixed, look for a model 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 lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. robot vacuum cleaner robotvacuummops are usually less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these devices, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced, and many of them need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is a great option for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.