How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuum s that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger homes. robot vacuum cleaner is also a good option for pet owners since 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 the LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of an entire task in one sweep. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and reused.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up an area where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones did, and many of them need a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.