How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing 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. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it last stopped which makes it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app provides the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning 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 has a huge charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed choose a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. best robot hoover are usually less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This can be helpful when you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.