How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and lightweight debris, 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 stairs. Find models that feature 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, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app offers a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. A lot of models do a great 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 don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. 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 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature 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 great alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it still picks up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be dried, washed and reused.
robot vacuum cleaner for sale and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
Like the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors don't solve all issues with these devices, however. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light in order to see where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful for those with pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.