How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing the stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot the last time it was used which makes it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot is working. 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 a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to 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 is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
extra resources is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
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 fantastic option. It has a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. Related Web Page are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. robot cleaner lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one move. Find one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot 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, plus it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This has reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light in order to know where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
The models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.