How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent 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 alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting 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 get rid of light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. robotic vacuum cleaners can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones did and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. Look into one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top model and the runners-up do this. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.