How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
best buy robot vacuum Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing steps.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app includes the 3D image of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they aren't able to pick up small 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.
The
best amazon vacuum option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot Remote Vacuum Cleaner (
Tigg.1212321.Com)/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device 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 large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the
floor robot's surface. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The
best robot vacuum for large house two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed choose 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, comes with this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. 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, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
best budget robot vacuum suited for small Spaces
These robots are made 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 than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt storage 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 and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older models faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up do this. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot go, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.