How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill 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 trip when climbing stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it last stopped, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. 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 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. link has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust 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, think about an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. They can also be washed, dried and reused.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For best budget robot vacuum can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light in order to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.