How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
automatic vacuum cleaner robotvacuummops that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, 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 are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to detect 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 is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they can't handle small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home when you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one move. If you have mixed flooring choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition 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 comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning 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 suggests that these robots are designed for smaller spaces. 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 where larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues that these devices have, however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top models and runners-up models do this. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is a great option when you have pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.