How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates 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 many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger homes. robot vacuum cleaner cheap is a great choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, 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 is superior in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose one that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
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 only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device 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 fantastic alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one sweep. Find models that have an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them over to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of 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 utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller 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 fit under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. This has 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.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have children or pets. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.