How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.
The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used which makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select one with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. vacuum deals , for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring and rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be empty, and it has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking 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 remove light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and used again.
Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. These advances 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 piece of pet waste.
However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to see where they're moving. Look into a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.