How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot with 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 dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing steps.
Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to 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 pause the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app includes a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although top robot vacuum isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select one with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one pass. Find models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. 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 might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
top robot vacuum is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms or 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, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than 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'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. Look into an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top pick and runner-up models do this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, since the lasers 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 create virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read robotic vacuum cleaner sale before deciding.