How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. 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 decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. top rated robot vacuum , for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power 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 Floors
Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one go. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. Click To See More means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these devices however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful for those with pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.