Ten Robot Vacuum Cleaner Bests That Really Change Your Life

How to Choose the best vacuums Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and other small particles and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

best affordable robot vacuum Overall

The top robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill 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 get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker remote Vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it does. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle fine particles like an upright or canister automatic vacuum cleaner and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop and we loved its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one go. Find models that have an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need 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 using downward pressure rather than wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via 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 with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

In addition being capable of working in dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested and recommend that you read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.