How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at 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 robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location the last time it was used which makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
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. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets 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 resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with a 3D representation 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, it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one pass. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust 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 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 is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. top robot vacuum can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. They are also able to be dried, washed and used again.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name suggests the robots are best designed for smaller areas. top robot vacuum have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to be able to see where they're going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that might hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.