How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it last stopped, making it easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify 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 see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using 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 point, so you can continue to do chores while it does. 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, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as rug. 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 more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however, it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. best robot hoover 's also the best price of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of a more complete chore in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
Like the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones did and most require a certain amount light to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
click through the following article of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all of the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.