How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and other small particles and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like 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 tripped up when climbing steps.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The included app offers the 3D image 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 removing small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very 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 and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent 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 has a huge charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be empty and has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed, look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases 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 mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to get rid of light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. best automatic vacuum cleaner are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these devices, however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need some level of illumination to see where they are moving. You should consider an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our top model and the runners-up do this. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.