How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle 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 is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select one that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out 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 rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. Choose one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combination 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.
When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. 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, so you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these devices however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. robot vacuum cleaner on sale 'll still need to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.