How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with 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 loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing stairs.
In comparison to 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 does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app includes 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 excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go months without needing to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum, taking care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. Click On this site T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring 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 that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. They are also able to be washed, dried and reused.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. 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 won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name suggests that these robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advances 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 pet waste.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house 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 space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option when you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.