How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing stairs.
In smart robot to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. 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 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot snag.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light in order to see where they are moving. You should consider one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our top models and runners-up models do this. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.