Ten Common Misconceptions About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best That Aren t Always True
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors and 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 has a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, robotvacuummops or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less 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 specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This has decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the problems that these devices have, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older models faced and most require a certain amount light to see where they're going. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our top overall models and runners-up models do this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition being capable of working in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.