How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. smart vacuum cleaner likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, 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 able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles like canister or upright vacuums and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature 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 huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of removing crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the 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 that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues that these devices have however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to be able to see where they're moving. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our best overall models and runners-up models do this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot 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 go to. This is a great option for those with pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.