How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and other small particles and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous 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 refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a great option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and 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 see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home with 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 small particles like sand and baking soda as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. It is possible to 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 spinning at 200 rpm. cleaning robots recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
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 option. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt storage compartments at the 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 around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced, and many of them need a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. Look into an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our top model and the runners-up do this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.