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 cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should 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 recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing steps.
When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it cannot 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 carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering 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 were impressed by its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, 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 want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.
auto vacuum cleaner for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one go. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to create a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older models faced and most require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.