by Cleaning floors can seem like an endless task, but if you don't have time for daily organization, a robot vacuum can offer assistance. Although these machines won't completely remove the need for hand cleaning, they can greatly decrease how frequently you have to do it.
At the Good Housekeeping InstituteCleaning Lab, we thoroughly evaluate a broad range of vacuums to guarantee our curated lists of thebest vacuumsremain current. For this guide, we have investednearly 300 hours of testing 15 robotic vacuum cleaners.To assess robotic vacuums androbot mops, we put them to the test in our custom-built, two-room obstacle course. We watch how effectively they move from hard floors to carpets, deal with debris along walls and in corners, navigate under and around furniture, and manage obstacles in their way. Furthermore, we assess their capability to collect dry debris and pet hair from both carpets and hard floors. Here are the top-performing models we've evaluated to suit various budgets.
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Best overall
$899.99
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The Roborock Q Revo suction and mop at the same time, employing circular pads that rotate at an amazing 200 revolutions per minute. We discovered that this high-speed scrubbing effectively cleans floors, efficiently removing dirt and debris. Individuals with carpets up to 7 millimeters in height don't need to take off the mopping pads when vacuuming, as the robot automatically identifies carpets and raises the pads to avoid moisture. (The pads also do not need to be removed after each use, thanks to the robot's self-cleaning and drying system when it returns to its charging station.)
The Q Revo includes a rubber brush rather than standard bristles, which also helps minimize pet hair knots. Although we observed a small quantity of fur getting caught in the brush's edges during testing, it was never enough to result in a blockage. The brush roll is also simple to remove for fast upkeep and cleaning—and its "floating" design smoothly adapts to irregular surfaces.
During our tests for cleaning hard floors, this vacuum showed outstanding performance, collecting almost all of the dirt we placed on the floor. However, similar to many other models we have evaluated, it wasn't as effective on carpets. Although it successfully picked up visible messes, some heavier, deeply embedded particles such as sand were left behind. The charging station automatically empties the dustbin into a bigger dust bag, which we found to be a convenient feature. We also enjoyed the fact that the dustbin has a HEPA filter that is easy to remove for cleaning or replacement.
With the companion app, you have the ability to plan cleanings for particular rooms, establish limits to control the robot's area of operation, and monitor its cleaning path as it happens. For areas that require additional care, the app enables you to modify the cleaning strength effortlessly, offering a tailored cleaning process.
Best value
$139.99
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The Eufy 11S Max robotic vacuum cleaneroffers premium features, such as automatic suction control, at a very attractive cost. Its elegant and extremely thin build—measuring just under 3 inches in height—makes it simple to slide beneath low-profile furniture such as ottomans and couches, reaching even the most difficult-to-access dirt.
We have previously evaluated and been pleased with other Eufy models, such as the RoboVac G20 and RoboVac X8 (both currently out of stock), which is why we are confident in suggesting this newer model. It features BoostIQ Technology, which boosts suction power when it identifies dirtier spots. We also appreciate its big wheels that enable seamless movement across medium-pile carpet, hardwood, and tile, although it might have difficulty with thresholds higher than 0.65 inches, making it potentially challenging for taller door sills. Underneath sensors help prevent it from falling off edges or stairs, while laser navigation allows it to move efficiently without colliding with walls or furniture.
The provided remote control enhances ease of use, enabling you to initiate spot cleaning or target the corners of a room. Similar to many robot vacuums, the 11S Max is built to return to its charging station when the power is low, recharging completely before starting the next cleaning cycle.
Best for carpets
$499.95
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Shark AI's small size and automatic dustbin emptying feature set it apart, making it an excellent option for cleaning carpets (it's our top recommendation in our collection of)best robotic vacuums for carpets). Its compact design impressed us, and installation was simple — it's prepared to clean with just a single press.
The robot maneuvered through narrow areas and cleaned beneath kitchen cabinet toe kicks without becoming stuck. However, the LIDAR sensor on top causes it to be too tall to fit under certain low-profile furniture. After thoroughly cleaning our test floors, the Shark returned to its dock and removed all the debris it had collected. On carpets, it performed very well, lifting almost all of the debris in our tests. Notably, during one test, it even went back to pick up a piece of debris it had missed during its second pass. Keep in mind, though, that the dustbin emptying process is quite noisy, but it only takes around 20 seconds.
The trash can in the base is simple to take out and empty, and the filters in both the robot and the dock can be washed — although only the base filter is HEPA-certified. Additional standout features include a self-cleaning brush roll that reduces hair knots, anUltraClean mode that re-examines areas three times for a more thorough clean and the capability to move effortlessly across light rugs and matsthat occasionally confuse other robots.
The SharkClean appimproves the robot's capabilities with a significant degree of personalization. Using the application, you can choose particular rooms for cleaning, guide the robot to busy areas, or send it to deal with urgent spills. Without the app, the AI Ultra has some restrictions, but it still performs well for regular cleaning jobs.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Shark AI Ultra-Empty Robot Vacuum
Best compact
$699.99
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Most of the robot vacuums we suggest are models that combine vacuuming and mopping functions, or have self-emptying features, or both. Although these features are useful, they usually need bigger charging stations to hold a water tank or an internal dust bag. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav, while not offering mopping or self-emptying functions, is a small and dependable choice for those who value top-tier cleaning performance. By concentrating on the basics, itconserves space while maintaining high-end features such as voice control, automatic suction regulation, and timed cleaning.
In our tests, this Dyson excelled at vacuuming. Its three-part brush roll, which features soft nylon, rigid bristles, and anti-static carbon fiber strands, efficiently stops hair knots and blockages. In our tests for picking up pet hair, none of the synthetic fur caused clogs, and the brush roll's nearly full-width design enabled it to clean the same area with fewer passes.
The Vis Nav also left a strong impression with its outstanding suction capability. During our tests on carpet pickup, it surpassed all other models in removing heavy debris such as sand. Although it lacks a self-emptying base, we found the upkeep to be straightforward. The dust container can be detached easily, and a single-touch ejection button allows for quick disposal of waste directly into the trash.
Advanced features enhance its ease of use: the application allows for room mapping, no-go zones, and scheduled cleaning. It also creates heat maps that indicate the dirtiest and cleanest parts of your floors, with the vacuum automatically adjusting suction power in real time to handle difficult areas.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Dyson 360 Vis Nav Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
Easiest to maintain
$899.99
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Many robotic vacuums and hybrid models come with time-saving features such as self-emptying stations or mechanisms that clean and dry mop pads between uses. However, the Noesis Florio distinguishes itself as theonly vacuum-mop combination we have evaluated that can automatically replace its mop pads.
Rather than using washable pads, it employs single-use ones that are kept in a drawer inside the charging station. Used pads are placed into a disposal drawer once they're no longer needed, and you can set the frequency of pad changes through the app. (As an added benefit, the charging base also has an air freshener.) Although the Florio is more expensive than some other combo robots we suggest, we believe its distinctive maintenance features justify the cost.
The Florio also performed exceptionally well in our vacuuming tests. It moved through and cleaned our two-room obstacle course quicker than nearly any other model we've evaluated. On hard floors, it managed to pick up an average of 96% of the dirt. When the robot finishes a cleaning session, it returns to its dock, empties the dustbin into a bigger bag in the base, and refills the water tank for mopping, providing a completely hands-free experience.
By default, the Florio cleans both vacuums and mops at the same time, but you can modify its settings through the app to carry out each function separately. During mopping, we observed that it sometimes leaves behind small water droplets, so it's essential to make sure floors are fully dry after cleaning. Considering its performance, creativity, and user-friendly design, the Florio is an exceptional option for those looking for high-tech cleaning equipment.
Best for large houses
$399.99
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The Dreametech L10s Ultra moved through our test routes with ease, seldom colliding with objects and effectively cleaning beneath low-lying furniture such as couches. With itsextended battery life, generous dust container, and superior agility, this unit is an ideal option for bigger households.
The L10s Ultra serves as both a vacuum and a mop. On carpets, it automatically lifts its mopping pads, enabling smooth dry and wet cleaning in a single session. During our tests, it performed exceptionally well at picking up pet hair from carpets, with no hair getting caught in the brush roll or blocking the dustbin — everything was automatically emptied into the dock's large 3-liter dust bag.
Switching from hard floors to carpets was seamless, as the mopping pads lifted quickly. We liked that the provided cleaning solution has a specific area in the dock, so there's no need to mix it into the water tank manually. While mopping, stubborn stains became much lighter after just one pass. The dock also automatically cleans and dries the mopping pads when the robot returns.
Out of 10 similar robots, the L10s Ultra received the second-highest score for its ability to move efficiently. It skillfully moved around obstacles, cleaned hard-to-reach areas and corners, and successfully picked up trash under furniture.
The application caught our attention due to its intuitive interface, which enables you to modify water and suction settings, set cleaning schedules, and access a real-time video stream from the robot's camera. Although it is among the more expensive options we have evaluated, we believe the L10s Ultra's exceptional performance, cutting-edge features, and user-friendly design justify the cost.
How we evaluate robot vacuums
The Good Housekeeping Institute's Cleaning Laboratory has been evaluating vacuum cleaners for more than a century. Employing uniform methods created by theInternational Electrotechnical Commission and ASTM International, We spent almost 300 hours testing 15 robot vacuums, gathering a total of 405 data points to rate each model.. Since that time, we have tested additional units to ensure our insights remain up-to-date.
In our 107-square-foot, two-room testing area, we examined each robot's performance in straight-line picking up and obstacle avoidance on hard floors and carpets. We also tested their capability to move beneath furniture, handle sharp turns, deal with bumps, and switch smoothly between hard floors and carpets.
In addition to performance, we evaluated the ease of use by looking at how user-friendly the controls were, the clarity of the setup process, and how straightforward it was to take apart and clean all parts after use. We also assessed the user manuals based on their usefulness and readability.
In our straight-line pickup tests on hard surfaces, we placed both large and small debris in a designated area that corresponds to the width of each robot vacuum's suction nozzle. Each robot vacuum is allowed 10 minutes to clean, and the amount of debris collected is measured by weight. For straight-line pickup tests on carpet, an enclosed space is used containing a combination of potting soil, sand, and rayon fibers to mimic pet hair. After a specific cleaning duration, the dustbin is weighed to assess the quantity of debris gathered.
Obstacle pickup tests take place in both areas of our testing enclosure, where a combination of oatmeal, orzo, baking soda, and sand is spread around. The robots are required to move beneath a couch and coffee table, traverse an area rug, and go through a doorway to gather the debris. Once cleaning is complete, we determine the pickup percentage by weighing the dustbin to find out how much debris was collected.
Buying guide
When considering the purchase of a robot vacuum, remember these important aspects:
Space
What is the size of your residence?If your robot vacuum needs to clean a large area, choose a model with extended battery life and a spacious dust compartment.Vacuum robots that can recharge and then continue cleaning from where they stopped are ideal for bigger areas. Be aware that if your robot needs to charge, it may significantly extend the time required to complete the cleaning task.
Features
Robot vacuums now come with a range of remarkable capabilities.A feature we believe is very useful in any household is a navigation system that assists the robot in moving around your home.Rather than simply colliding with furniture as it moves. Some other features we believe are particularly helpful include automatic carpet detection, creating restricted areas via an app, and the ability to recharge and continue cleaning. However, not everyone will require all of these, and determining which ones are significant to you is a major aspect of selecting a robot for your home.
Mapping capabilities
A machine equipped with mapping features such as LIDAR or 3D object detectionwill recall your floor layout and monitor the areas it has and hasn't covered,which will enable it to clean more quickly and effectively. A robot that does not create a map will simply collide with objects in your home while cleaning, potentially missing areas or even entire rooms. You won't be able to see the robot's cleaning path, direct it to clean a particular room or spot (more details below), or establish restricted areas.
No-go zones
Most robot vacuum applications enable you toestablish digital boundaries to isolate entire rooms or only specific areas within a room.Houses that have many areas to keep clear (such as children's playpens or pet beds and food dishes) can take advantage of no-go zone settings within the app. If you don't want to use an app to manage your device, certain models include physical strips that can be placed on the floor to stop your robot vacuum from cleaning in unwanted areas.
Spot/zone cleaning
Looking for a robot that can clean beneath the dining room table once your children have finished their meal? Select a robot that offers spot or zone cleaning settings. When you opt for one of these cleaning options,Your robot will only clean the area you designate via the app or voice instructions.This enables you to focus on a single cluttered area instead of the robot cleaning the entire house.
Recharge and resume
Robots that automatically charge and then continue cleaning from where they stopped areparticularly well-suited for spacious residences.If a model lacks this feature, it will begin from the start of its training every time it is recharged.
Automatic carpet recognition
Several models can automatically recognize carpets and boost suction to more effectively remove dirt and particles that are deeply embedded. This feature is not essential if your home has only hard floors or if you intend to keep your carpeted areas as restricted zones, butIt is particularly crucial for robots that also clean floors.You don't want to get your carpets wet, and certain robot makers are addressing this issue by creating devices that can recognize carpets and raise the mopping pads to prevent harm.
Self-emptying
Self-emptying robotsoccupy much more floor space compared to the smaller charging stations of robot vacuums that require manual emptying, butthey offer a more convenient cleaning process.These stations can typically go for several weeks without needing to be emptied, and for models that also mop, many include a water tank large enough to supply multiple cleaning sessions for your robot. Most manufacturers advise against relocating the base once it's installed, so it's crucial to choose a location that isn't too disruptive, or your robot will need to re-scan your home.
Scheduled cleaning
For a more automated cleaning solution, search for a robot that offers a scheduled cleaning function. Once you configure the day and time you prefer for the room to be cleaned,The robot will begin the task automatically while you are in bed or at work.Some robots allow you to create separate schedules for each room in your house, while others may begin cleaning all rooms every time.
Price
Robot vacuums can cost anywhere from $200 up to more than $1,200.Your budget will also influence the features available in your robot vacuum — a model with all advanced functions is likely to be pricier. If you don't need floor mapping or self-emptying features, you can choose a more affordable option. While there are models available for under $100, we have not come across a high-quality robot vacuum in that price range, although there are many other alternatives.good inexpensive vacuums.
FAQs
Are robot vacuums a good investment?
Although no robot can currently manage stairs or remove dirt and debris from the floor as effectively as a manual vacuum (for now), the leading models in our tests show remarkable cleaning performance on hard floors and short-pile carpets. They perform well in picking up small particles such as sand and baking soda, heavier materials like oatmeal, orzo pasta, metal screws, and nuts, as well as soft items like pet hair.
Robot vacuums make excellent cleaning assistants.If you dislike cleaning your floors or wish to prolong the intervals between cleanings, think about purchasing one. Use it multiple times each week, and it will capture all the dust and pet hair, lint, and surface dirt on your floors before they have a chance to accumulate or become embedded.
Another advantage is that robot vacuums are compact enough to fit underneath the bed or sofa. Since many models come with side brushes designed to gather dirt from corners and edges, they can also clean along the walls, reaching crevices that you might often overlook or that your traditional vacuum cannot access. You can program them to clean just the kitchen floor after dinner or an entire floor of your house while you're away. Can you complete the task quicker with your regular vacuum? Certainly. But the real question is, do you want to?
How long do robotic vacuums typically last?
With appropriate care and upkeep,Robot vacuums can have a lifespan comparable to that of traditional vacuums.. This indicates that as long as you clean the rotating brushes frequently (hair tends to get caught there!), use your robot vacuum as directed by the manufacturer, and replace components such as batteries and wheels, it will continue assisting you in maintaining a clean home for many years. Robot vacuum manufacturers we have talked to have shared accounts of customers owning the same robot vacuum for almost 10 years.
How do robotic vacuums function?
A robotic vacuum utilizes navigation technologies such as sensors, lasers, and cameras to move throughout your house, picking up pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into its dustbin from hard surfaces like wood, tile, and laminate, as well as low-pile carpets and rugs. High-end models can map and understand your living space, allowing you to program the robot to clean just one room or a particular area. Some more affordable vacuums achieve this by using boundary strips that you place on the floor to restrict the robot's movement. Even budget-friendly models come equipped with sensors that prevent them from falling down stairs.
Numerous vacuums link to applications that let you set up cleaning times, and a few also integrate with Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and other digital voice assistants for a completely hands-free process.All robotic vacuums will automatically go back to their charging stations to replenish power, and certain models can also halt a cleaning task, charge, and then resume cleaning from the point they stopped.If you own pets, think about choosing a model equipped with a rubber brush roller. We discovered that pet hair was less likely to adhere to it compared to a hard bristle brush, and any hair that did stick was simpler to clean off.
Prior to initiating the robot's cleaning process, gather any small objects that you do not wish to be sucked up (check beneath the couch!), and make sure that power cables, garments, rug edges, and window blind cords are securely stored. Unless you are utilizing a wet-mop vacuum, address all liquid spills. During intervals between cleanings, empty the dust container and use a soft cloth to wipe the sensors and charging points, allowing the robot to move more precisely and establish a stronger connection with the charger.
How can I maintain a robotic vacuum cleaner?
Robot vacuums typically don't need a lot of maintenance, but every model comes with its own specific care instructions. Here are some steps you can take to ensure your robot operates at its best:Removing knotted hair from the brush, emptying the dust container following each cleaning session, cleaning or changing the filter, and wiping the sensors or camerasto ensure that your robot can clearly view your home for the upcoming cleaning session.
For mopping robots that use washable pads, it's essential to regularly take off the mopping pads, clean them, and let them dry before putting them back on the robot. If your robot's charging station doesn't automatically clean and dry the pads between uses, you should take them off after each cleaning session. Additionally, if the manufacturer suggests it, you can occasionally rinse the robot's filter and let it dry before placing it back. Replace the filter when you observe a decrease in the robot's suction power or as advised by the manufacturer.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Carolyn Forté, the executive director of the Home Care and Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, has more than 40 years of experience evaluating and writing about various types of vacuum cleaners. For this review, she managed all the testing carried out byLynn Redmile, the testing and product review analyst who carried out our Lab's most recent comprehensive test of robot vacuums, from which three of the recommendations on this list were selected. Two of the more recent recommendations in this article were tested by Carolyn directly and by our group of consumer testers as part of the evaluation for the latest update.Good HousekeepingTop Cleaning and Organization Awards
Noah PinsonnaultServes as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab, assisting in the development and execution of tests across different product types. He evaluated more models and reviewed past testing records to create the most recent version of this guide.
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