How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and 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 particles such as sand. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one that scores high for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed, look for models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and reused.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. automatic vacuum cleaner reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination to be able to see where they're moving. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to map the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models use this. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
They can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot go, which can be useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.