How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with 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 numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to cover larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at 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. It is not necessary remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
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 your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we loved its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one sweep. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard 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 uses an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This has have reduced the number of times that 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 don't solve all issues with these machines however. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to see where they're moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
In addition being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield 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 another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have children or pets. Robot Vacuum Mops aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.