How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
robot vacuum cleaners from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time 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.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. robotic vacuum cleaners is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after every 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 solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one go. If you have mixed flooring choose one with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This has decreased the amount of times our testers had 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 machines, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to review our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.