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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also 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 navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it stopped last which makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app provides the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. But they don't pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best rated robot vacuum choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home when you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty self-cleaning robot vacuums Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best robot cleaner value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of an entire task in one pass. Find models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the 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 mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times 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 disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.
