How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb up stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking to add more 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 at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners, because it will prevent 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 obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. This 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 pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best option 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 carpet and rug. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job 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 could miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart mapping system that can be programmed to only run for certain times (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, 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 carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one pass. If you have floors that are mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily comprised 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 intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When robot vacuum cleaner for sale comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
robot vacuum cleaner on sale as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these devices, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced, and many of them need a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to map the area. Our top models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In cleaning robots being able to work in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.