How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app provides the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. robot vacuum cleaners loved its navigation on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are great 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, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have mixed flooring, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard 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 like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate 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, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems that these devices have however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is a great option when you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.