How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried 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 refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing steps.
The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose one with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. see this here are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. 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.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option 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 only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be empty and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one pass. Find one that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to 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 are reusable, which reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. best robot cleaner lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
The models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas 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. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.