How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.
The best robot vacuum deals for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot vacuum Cleaner best buy Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best inexpensive robot vacuum value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best self cleaning vacuum two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete a more complete chore in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for models 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 move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can use the app to create an area where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless robot vacuum bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues that these devices have, however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to know where they are moving. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition to being able to work in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.