How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at 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 robovacs that have 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 also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app includes the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some are capable of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the 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 simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
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 dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They do an excellent job of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one go. Find one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. robot vacuum deals can, for example utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. robot vacuum sale has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for 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 are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advances decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues that these devices have, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
They can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.