How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
robotvacuummops is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like 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, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item 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 huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one go. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is 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 the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate an area where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive 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 few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're moving. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you read our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.