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 lightweight debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. 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 is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer 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 fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot works. The app includes a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. Its only downsides 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 vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to go 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 great alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it still picks hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are great in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one move. If you have mixed flooring, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances 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.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all of the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.