How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it was last. best robot vacuums makes it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as efficient in cleaning as 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's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vac uum and mop that allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in 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 keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one move. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. 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 need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. 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 area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
In addition being capable of working in dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.