How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can 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 reference. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot is working. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning 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 alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.
vacuum robot for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one move. Find one that has an onboard sensor that can detect 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 seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless 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 small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advancements have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our best 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 and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you read our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.