How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model 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 many 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 refill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.
In robotic vacuum cleaner to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a 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 with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to go up and over furniture. 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 high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are excellent at of picking up crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of an entire task in one sweep. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard 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 equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually 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 them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems that these devices have however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to see where they are moving. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our top pick and runner-up models do this. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.