How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
Compared 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 does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot works. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and 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 option worth considering. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If robot vacuum cleaner sale looking to buy 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 and not need to be cleaned. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one move. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and most require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in 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 essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.