How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.
When 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 has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is a great option for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. 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 in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting 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 avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding 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 when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptying and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of an entire task in one go. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and used again.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. 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 couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these devices however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In robot vacuum deals being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.