How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If best robot cleaner want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing steps.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to cover larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The included app provides the 3D image 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 larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select one with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can use the app to create a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain 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, so you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these devices however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.