How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
url , a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it can spot 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 can map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to 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 while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent 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 huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty 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 that can keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one step. If you have floors that are mixed, look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. best rated robot vacuum let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advances have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light to know where they are going. Look into a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up do this. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.