How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large 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 also need a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. robot vacuum cleaner cheap prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app includes the 3D image of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home when you are away. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. robot vacuum cleaner for sale has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one step. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid staircases 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, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need some level of illumination to know where they are going. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think 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 is beneficial if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.