Ten Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best That Will Actually Make Your Life Better
How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner (nativ.media)
A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuum cleaner best buy vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.
In comparison 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 need frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled 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 identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets 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 point, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. The app offers a 3D view 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 but it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best automatic vacuum cleaner option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select one with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot remote vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning robot price session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues that these devices have, however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light to see where they are going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.
Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.