A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best combo vacuum models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best buy robot vacuum robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.
In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease 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 includes 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, it is superior in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic floor vacuums vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to get over and up onto 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 fantastic alternative. It has a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Automatic Hoover Robot (Https://Hunter-Hebert.Mdwrite.Net/) vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and reused.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. 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, which 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 to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot floor cleaner vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these devices, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did, and many of them need a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to map the area. Our top overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't included on all of the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below before making your purchase.
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
