How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb up stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing steps.
In comparison 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 does have a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. In addition, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it last stopped which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it does. The app offers a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot 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 robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well 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 liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however 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 ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one step. Find models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. They can also be dried, washed and reused.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests that these robots are designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. robot vacuum cleaner for sale can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive 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 when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has decreased the amount 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 haven't eliminated all the problems that these devices have, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and most require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent 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 also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.