How to Choose the best automatic vacuum cleaner Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best robot vacuum Under 200 Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self vacuum-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it last stopped and makes it much easier to cover larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app includes the 3D image of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out 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 at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has impressive 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 only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining a automated vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one go. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. 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 don't have to empty the bin manually 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 garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors don't solve all the problems that these devices have however. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to know where they are going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.