How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking to add more 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 shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using 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 easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it does. The app includes a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although top rated robot vacuum isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of 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 miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. 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 rotations a minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. robotic hoovers are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one go. Find models that have an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, 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 from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This has decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these devices, however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light in order to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't included on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.