How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to 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 big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since 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 which can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, however it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
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 your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great 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 fantastic option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are excellent at of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one pass. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, robot vacuum cleaner best can mop too. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
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 to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. They can also be dried, washed, and reused.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. robot vacuum cleaner best have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots can't reach. automatic vacuum cleaner are generally less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. 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, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems that these devices have however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.