How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot that uses 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 numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app offers the 3D image of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop, and 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 good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one pass. Find models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is composed of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific 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 with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This has reduced the number of times that 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 don't solve all the problems that these devices have however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. Consider getting one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our top overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. robot vacuum cleaner cheap aren't offered on all the models we've tested so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.
