How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and other small particles, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it 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 with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing steps.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this model 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 and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. 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.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. robot vacuum cleaner cheap allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a extremely 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, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptied and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed choose one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable 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 can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these machines however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to be able to see where they're moving. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot go, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.