How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and other small particles and allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily 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 may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect 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 to be used in the future for reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects 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 a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. top rated robot vacuum do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations, but it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum, taking care of a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and most require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up do this. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.