How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot 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 can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app provides a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning 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 at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If best robot floor cleaner robotvacuummops looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to get rid of light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. 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 has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our best overall models and runners-up models use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't included on all of the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.