How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model 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 many robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app offers the 3D image of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which 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 rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one sweep. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these devices however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older models faced and most require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is a great option when you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read auto vacuum cleaner before making your choice.