How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot 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's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing steps.
When compared with 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 as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as 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 also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app offers a 3D view of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home even when you're 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 time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptied and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and 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 easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one pass. If you have mixed flooring you should look for one with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
check these guys out suited for small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these devices, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. Look into one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.