How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, 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 pause the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app offers a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. 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 good option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and rug. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
smart vacuum cleaner -in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one pass. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. 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, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these devices however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older models faced and most need a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.