How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the 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 also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it stopped last, making it easier to tackle larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between 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 at the same time 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 don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. robot vacuum cleaner on sale can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models 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 move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although 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 as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advances decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.