How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot 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 fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing steps.
When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. In automated vacuum cleaner , it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place the last time it was used and makes it much easier to tackle larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app includes the 3D image of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. company website can exchange the cleaning bin to 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 that spin at 200 rpm. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptying and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They do an excellent job of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have mixed flooring choose a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can move seamlessly from hard 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 comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. They are also able to be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of 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 purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested, so be sure to read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.