How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
Compared 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 dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app offers the 3D image of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider 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 has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major 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. These advancements have reduced the number 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 with these devices however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination in order to be able to see where they're moving. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our top overall models and runners-up models use this. robot vacuum cleaner best buy allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.