How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot equipped 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 numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place the last time it was used which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.
In budget robot vacuum , we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with 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 point, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as 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 even fine particles like sand. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger 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 best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one pass. Choose models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture 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 a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. They can also be washed, dried and used again.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
smart robot suited for small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older models faced and most require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our best overall models and runners-up models do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.