How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing steps.
When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger homes. 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 discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app includes the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. 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 each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have mixed flooring, look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting 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 is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. They can also be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. best automatic vacuum are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.