How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles and allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive ones can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might 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 reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. In addition, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the place the last time it was used which makes it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured 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 references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app provides the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning 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 dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one sweep. Find one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture 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 mostly made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove light 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 washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For self vacuum , you can use the app to create a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems that these devices have however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light in order to know where they are moving. You should consider a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
These models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful if you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below before making your purchase.