How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature 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 handle stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it stopped last and makes it much easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a great option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. 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 canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop and we loved its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best price of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's 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 composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For robotic vacuum cleaners can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. These advances 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 piece of pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older models faced and most require a certain amount illumination to be able see where they're headed. You should consider one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up use this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful if you have pets or small children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested and recommend that you read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.