How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and light debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider 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 product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using 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 resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app offers the 3D image of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. robot vacuum deals is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one step. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance, use the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, however, 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 went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has reduced the number of times 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 the issues that these devices have however. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to know where they are moving. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the space. Our top overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.