How to Choose click through the next post can save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up the stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has 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 numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vac uum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum s and mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home when you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. Choose one 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 move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This has decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
In addition being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.