How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you want 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 is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins 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 trip when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place the last time it was used and makes it much easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. robot vacuum cleaner best has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. best automatic vacuum are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one pass. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for a model 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 switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. They are also able to be dried, washed and used again.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to know where they are moving. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to trace the area. Our top models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.