How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
cleaning robots for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at 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 vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating 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 while you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run during certain times (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they can 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 other debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one step. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and reused.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their 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.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to know where they are going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to map the space. Our top overall pick and runner-up models use this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
The models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.