How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas 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 best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. robot vacuum cleaners has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they can't handle small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you do not need 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.
best home vacuum cleaner that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its excellent navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great 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 has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark has less suction power 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 choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.
robotic vacuum cleaners as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need an adequate amount of light in order to see where they are moving. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to trace the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up use this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.