How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums , is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app offers a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and used again.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. robotic hoovers improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they are moving. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
In addition being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.