How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place the last time it was used which makes it easier to tackle larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a good job 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 they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one pass. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be washed, dried and used again.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for instance utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. robot vacuum cleaner best buy can also fit under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all issues that these devices have, however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to know where they are moving. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It is still recommended 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 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 do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.