Ten Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best That Will Improve Your Life
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing steps.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they can't handle small particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. 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 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 each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and 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 navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one go. Find one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them 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, saving your time. The mop pads can also be washed, dried and used again.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. robotic vacuum cleaner means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
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 above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested and recommend that you read our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.