How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb up the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app offers a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as 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 downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. robot vacuum cleaner cheap can swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and reused.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems that these devices have however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light in order to know where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.