How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily messes. best automatic vacuum cleaner 'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that are able to detect 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 has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If best robot hoover looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a huge charging dock that can go months without needing to be empty and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has a smart mapping system that can be set to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete an entire task in one sweep. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This has decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues that these devices have, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you don't 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 making your choice.