How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and other small particles, and most allow you to create 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 smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily messes. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider 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 product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as those with 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 that they won't trip up when climbing steps.
Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
automated vacuum cleaner robotvacuummops 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. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one step. Find models that have an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. 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 with downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines, however. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.