How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and other small particles and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robot vacuum cleaner robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is a good option for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum cleaner cheap vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out a 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 spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot automated vacuum cleaner/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering 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 also be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best robovac option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. 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 prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these devices, however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination in order to be able to see where they're moving. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed 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 interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot vacuum ebay to move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.