How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about 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 tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice 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 with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify 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 to be used in the future for references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't 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 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare and rug. find out this here has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it does pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one go. If you have mixed flooring, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove light dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, 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 a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount illumination to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
These models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.