How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app offers the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand 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 slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one pass. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. They can also be dried, washed and reused.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
smart vacuum cleaner suited for small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This can be helpful if you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.