How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and other small particles and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. best home vacuum cleaner prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught 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. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like sand and baking soda and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a moist 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 that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one pass. If you have mixed flooring, look for models with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to remove light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have 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, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems that these devices have however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to see where they're moving. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the models below before making your purchase.