How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner (similar site)
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and other small particles, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of 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 the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.
Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to tackle larger homes. This model is a great option for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it does. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum bot with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in house cleaning robot up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot cleaner amazon mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another solid option 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 loved its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to get up and over 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 fantastic option. It comes with a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for a model 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 your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning robot price session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. These advancements 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 aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these machines, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to map the area. Our top model and the runners-up have this feature. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.