How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should 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 dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place the last time it was used and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers an interactive 3D model 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 but it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
best automatic vacuum cleaner for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose one that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
For most expensive robot vacuum carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor washing robot, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best robot floor cleaner choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one pass. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic automated vacuum cleaner that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
best self cleaning vacuum for Small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually 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 underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have, however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they need a certain level of light to be able to see where they're moving. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.