How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up the stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic 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 for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. In best rated robot vacuum , it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability 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 with your chores while it does. The app offers a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove 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 closer 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 via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one step. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors 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.
When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
Read the Full Post , robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues that these devices have, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. Look into an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.