How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is great at picking up heavier items 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 less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises 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 vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptied and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one go. Find one that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. best home vacuum cleaner can, for example, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. 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 need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners 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 too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This has decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require a certain level of light in order to be able to see where they're moving. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This can be helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.