How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Make sure cleaning robots choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare as well as rug. 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 has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. robot vacuum cleaner cheap are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one go. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be washed, dried and reused.
Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advances 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.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and require some level of illumination in order to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's 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 visit. This can be helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.