How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. robotic vacuum cleaner sale do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location the last time it was used which makes it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models do a good job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it does pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of removing 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 a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one sweep. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads 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 won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times 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 as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these devices, however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light in order to see where they are going. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to map the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models do this. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.