How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to 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 top-rated models. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests 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. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in 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. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they can't handle small particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be set to run only during specific hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one pass. If you have mixed flooring choose a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, robotic vacuum cleaner on sale has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be dried, washed and used again.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems that these devices have however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to see where they are moving. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models do this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers 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 allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful 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.