How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Find models that feature 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 messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill 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 trip when climbing steps.
When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The app includes a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects 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 less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be empty and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one sweep. Find one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. robot vacuum cleaner best for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. robot vacuum cleaner best can, for example, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects 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 with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these machines however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
These models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.
robot vacuum cleaner best of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.