How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall 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 navigation score is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app offers a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose one with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on carpets and floors as well as 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 to buy a high-tech vacuum 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 cleaned. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one pass. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. 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 your time. robot vacuum cleaner best buy are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did, and many of them need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. Consider getting one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top model and the runners-up use this. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't 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.