How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job at removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. best affordable robot vacuum enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested 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 can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app offers the 3D image of your home, complete 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 as well as larger items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts 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 also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still picks up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. They can also be dried, washed, and used again.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores 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.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination to see where they are moving. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may 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 want the robot to move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.