How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application 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's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. robot vacuum sale do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and 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 the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring 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 great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed choose a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance utilize the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these devices however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to see where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.