Ten Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best That Will Actually Help You Live Better

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

best affordable robot vacuum Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of 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 robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum (Nativ.media) that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have mixed flooring, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. This has have 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.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to be able to know where they are moving. Look into an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

These models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.