How to Choose the Best
Robot Vacuum Cleaner Comparison Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider a model that has 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 tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score 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 then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
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. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, with
room cleaning robot labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to 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, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks 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, select an
automatic floor cleaners vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles like canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
The
best robot floor cleaner choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. 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 and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be set 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 than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.
best vacuums for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the
floor washing robot's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed, dried and reused.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. 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
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to see where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.