How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a robot cleaning machine that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to plan cleaning robot price times and return to the place where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and [Redirect Only] baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. It is possible to swap out a cleaning robots bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptied and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power 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 a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have mixed flooring, look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with smart robot navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via 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 with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll need 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 started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has decreased the amount of times 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 haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced and most need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we test and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.