How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If robotic vacuum cleaners looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. 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 the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They do an excellent job of picking up crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large 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-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and 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 clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and used again.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements have reduced the number of times 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 aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.