How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don'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 navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to 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 references. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it does. The app provides a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as 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 to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are great in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
for beginners are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one step. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be dried, washed and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to see where they are going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.