Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best OverallThe best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily messes. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application 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 numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot vacuum cleaner best has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to clean larger spaces. 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 in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily 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 return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app offers the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best for CarpetIf you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one sweep. Look for models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to remove light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become 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 lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light to know where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR 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 to being capable of working in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.
