How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If robot vacuum cleaner on sale looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it last stopped and makes it much easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with 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 easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app includes the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although robot vacuum cleaner cheap isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally 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 to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptying and has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it does pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one step. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. They are also able to be washed, dried and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making 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 certain 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 other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This has decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all issues with these machines however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older models faced, and many of them need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.