How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that can 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 robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot is working. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
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 while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one step. If you have mixed flooring you should look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. best robot hoover is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and used again.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This has reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these devices however. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light in order to see where they are going. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top overall model and the runners-up use this. 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, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.