Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best: The Secret Life Of Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with daily debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a great option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we loved its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. Full Article has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for instance, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional 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 don't solve all the problems that these devices have, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced and most need a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
They can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. 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 prior to making a purchase.