How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic 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 refill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one pass. 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. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. They are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount illumination to be able see where they're headed. Look into automated vacuum cleaner robotvacuummops that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models use this. 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 they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This can be helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.