How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it last stopped which makes it easier to cover larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, 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 point and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app offers the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have mixed flooring you should look for models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If best robot floor cleaner have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. They can also be dried, washed and used again.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
The new sensors don't solve all issues with these devices however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light in order to know where they are going. You should consider one that has a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our top model and the runners-up do this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.