How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it stopped last and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. vacuum deals , for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at 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 every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
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 when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item 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 large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to run only during specific times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one pass. If you have mixed flooring, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with 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 avoid hazards such as stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. They can also be washed, dried and reused.
Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and plan 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 disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. auto vacuum decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
They can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot go, which can be useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.