How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing steps.
In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The included app provides a 3D representation 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 sand and baking soda, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning 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 spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system that can be set to only run during certain times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete a more complete chore in one pass. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. robot floor cleaner Robot Vacuum Mops to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.