How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job at removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the 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 loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing the stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is a great option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. But they don't pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set up 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 very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. 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 both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one sweep. If you have floors that are mixed, look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop 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 too. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name suggests that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models however, 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 a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. This has have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're moving. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. robotic vacuum cleaner sale will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.