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 and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last which makes it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app offers a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum, taking care of a more complete chore in one go. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example make use of the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
automatic vacuum for Small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has 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.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
These models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.