How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger spaces. This model is a good option for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
top robot vacuum is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. 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, choose one that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. 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 good option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for months without needing to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one pass. If you have mixed flooring you should look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. robotic vacuum cleaner on sale features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
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 get rid of light dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. They can also be dried, washed and reused.
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 set up an area that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores 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
As the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although 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 around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. 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 see where they're going. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to map the area. Our top model and the runners-up use this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.