How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. self vacuum are capable of getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing steps.
In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger areas. robot vacuum cleaner best buy is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and 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 to be used in the future for use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in 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 superior to other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to run only during specific hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. 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 think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. They can also be washed, dried and used again.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin 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 store less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these machines however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount light to see where they're going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
They can also be programmed to 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 to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.