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 do a great job picking up dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
self vacuum is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it is working. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove light dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed to work in small 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 have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these machines however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light to be able to know where they are going. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.