How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
robotic hoovers clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots in our testing 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 good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous 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 water tanks for mopping robots. this page loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app provides the 3D image of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare and rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however, it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are great for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one pass. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance, use the app to designate areas 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 the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run 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 piece of pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and most need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few 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 a great option for those with small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.