How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time safety features, 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 want a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes 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.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app provides the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. 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 that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have 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, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms or plan specific cleaning times. best vacuums has an auto-emptying dock that sucks 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 for Small Spaces
As the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has decreased the amount 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 haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light in order to be able to see where they're moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
In addition being capable of working in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.