How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered 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 and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like sand and baking soda as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare and rug. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks up pet hair and hair very well.
robot vacuum cleaner
Links to an external site. 's also the highest price of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one go. If you have mixed flooring choose a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts 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 made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors 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 just wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
best robot vacuum
Links to an external site. can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance make use of 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 has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made 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 under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but 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 as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require some level of illumination to be able to see where they are moving. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to trace the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the 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 also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below before making your purchase.