How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with 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 many robotic vacuums. She's a huge 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 fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it last stopped, making it easier to tackle larger homes. 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 tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app offers the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels as well as 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 objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with 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 avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptying and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one move. Find one that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. www.robotvacuummops.com reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. They are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance, use the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the problems that these devices have however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light to be able to be able to see where they're moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.