How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.
The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might 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 reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger areas. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose one with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. a cool way to improve allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home when you are away. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature 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 fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one go. If you have mixed flooring, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac as well as the 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 where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so 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 to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and most require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
The models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful if you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.