How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb up stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
In comparison with 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 does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is a good option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums 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 take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and rug. 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 advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be empty and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best price of our top picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete a more complete chore in one go. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than 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 will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advances reduced the number 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 don't solve all the problems with these machines however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. Look into an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. good robot vacuum used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful when you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.