How to Choose robotic vacuum cleaners will save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one go. Find models that have an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is composed of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have 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 wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for instance, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors don't solve all issues with these machines however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. Consider getting a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to map the area. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.