How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it stopped last which makes it easier to cover larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. for beginners included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.
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. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a decent job at 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 that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one step. Find one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.