How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuum cleaner amazon vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.
In comparison 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 does have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at automated cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic Floor cleaner emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are great in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. If you have mixed flooring choose one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's 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 a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. 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.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best robot vacuum black friday suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they're going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is 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 enter. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.