How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor, but they can't 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 and user-friendly, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing stairs.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it stopped last which makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets 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 pause the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app offers the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some are capable of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one pass. Look for models that have an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring 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 comprised of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Robot Vacuum Mops help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or 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 issues with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.