How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and 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 screws made of metal. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors and carpets. 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 more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running amok). go to website has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one sweep. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less 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 the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major 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. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot incident.
However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need a certain level of light to know where they are going. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top model and the runners-up use this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
They can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.