How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic 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 the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several are capable 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 canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out 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 spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in being close 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 via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. robot vacuum deals lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of a more complete chore in one pass. If you have mixed flooring you should look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. They can also be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in darkness 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, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.