Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you want 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, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.
Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot 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 has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the spot the last time it was used and makes it much easier to tackle larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well 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 and we loved its excellent navigation on 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 excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptied and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one go. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need 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, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our best Roborock vacuum overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.
