How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. robot vacuum sale 's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it last stopped and makes it much easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, 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 also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot works. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. automatic vacuum allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy 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 huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete a more complete chore in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance make use of the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advances have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit 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 being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.