How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it stopped last which makes it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In auto vacuum tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. Its only drawbacks are 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 vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. 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.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. 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 top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a huge charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be empty and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it still picks hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
auto vacuum for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have mixed flooring you should look for models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and reused.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these devices however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light in order to see where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't included on all of the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.