How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot vacuum hoover equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic 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 the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot works. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose one that scores high for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding 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 when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot vacuum cleaner quiet Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptying and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one go. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable 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 hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they need a certain level of light to see where they are moving. You should consider an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
The models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that might hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot vacuum cleaner cheap to go, which can be useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.