How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with 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 prefers the ones with the most features, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to clean larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Full Document are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
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 while you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If robotic hoovers looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptying and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete a more complete chore in one pass. If you have mixed flooring 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 your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors don't solve all the problems that these devices have however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light to be able to see where they are going. Look into one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models use this. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.