How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should 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 many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it stopped last and makes it much easier to clean larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of 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 while 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 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the 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 emptied and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum /mop combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. They can also be washed, dried and used again.
Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best for Small Spaces
Like the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light to know where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is a great option for those with pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of each model below before making your purchase.