How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing steps.
In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. Read the Full Post has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one go. If you have mixed flooring choose one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it 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 remove light dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these devices, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount illumination to see where they're going. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our top models and runners-up models have this feature. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as 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 close to or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful if you have pets or small children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.