How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot 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 water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.
Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place the last time it was used and makes it much easier to tackle larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as 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 baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and rugs. 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 advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large 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 best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If best robot hoover have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up 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 that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light to see where they are moving. You should consider a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to map the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
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 above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot go, which can be beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below before making your purchase.