How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy
self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous
robotic floor vacuums vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like 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 detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot vacuum cleaner best,
this content, has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
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 rug. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1
cheap robot vacuum vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.
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 having to be cleaned. It also has impressive capability to
auto vacuum-empty carpets and bare floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot 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 the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the job in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. They are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to create an area where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. 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 manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these devices, however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.