How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however 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 isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose one with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptying, and it has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be set to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it still picks up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one move. If you have floors that are mixed choose a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. They can also be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. top robot vacuum are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, 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, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is a great option when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.