How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and light debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Continued tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing the stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can 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 references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks 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, select an automatic vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate 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 an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have mixed flooring choose one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and reused.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advancements reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to map the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create 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 on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.