How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot cleaner with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing stairs.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker bagless robot vacuum vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It has 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 the place it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger areas. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor washing robot (read this blog post from bbs.wj10001.com). It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one go. If you have mixed flooring you should look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum cleaners vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This has reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic floor scrubber snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our best auto vacuum overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only 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 interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.