How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it stopped last which makes it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In Suggested Reading tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. best automatic vacuum offers an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good 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 be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are great for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling 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 get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. 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 you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.
However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our top model and the runners-up use this. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
These models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested, so be sure to read our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.