Keeping floors clean is an ongoing challenge, but quickly removing tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shedding pet hair, and other debris significantly affects how clean your home appears and feels. But who has time to keep pulling out the vacuum or broom? Allow a robot vacuum to do the work for you! While robot vacuums will not eliminate the need for human floor cleaning, they will make it less frequent, and the good news is that excellent models are available at various price points.
In the Home Accessories Institute Cleaning Lab, we put robot vacuums and mops through their paces in our custom-built two-room obstacle course. We assess how well they transition from hard floors to carpet (whether or not they get stuck), how well they nab debris along walls and in corners, whether or not they can go under and around furniture and from room to room, and whether or not shoes, toys, and other items we’ve placed in their paths trip them up.
Our top picks:
We test a wide range of vacuums in the Home Accessoris Institute Cleaning Lab to produce our constantly updated hand-picked lists of the best vacuums, best vacuums for pet hair,car vacuums, Cordless Stick Vacuums, Vacuum Cleaners, Robot Mops, Robot Vacuums, Cordless Handheld Vacuums,Best Vacuums on Amazon, cheap vacuum cleaners, and even brand- and retailer-specific lists such as the best vacuums from Bissell and the best vacuums at Walmart. There are more robot vacuums than ever before, and they have come a long way since the original iRobot Roomba we examined back in 2002.
Robots can be more difficult to set up and operate than ordinary vacuums, so we look at how intuitive the controls are and how simple it is to program them, even for non-technologists. We also consider how loud each vacuum is, if dirt or pet hair gets lodged anywhere, and how easy it is to remove, empty, and replace the dust canister. We assess the quantity of dry debris, pet hair they collect from carpet and hard floors, and the accompanying app for each robot.
Please continue reading to learn more about how we evaluate robot vacuums in our lab testing, as well as a thorough shopping guide and answers to your most commonly asked questions. Check out our roundup of the finest robot mops if you want one that can also wet-mop floors.
1
PROS
- Extra large, self-empty base holds up to 60 days worth of dust and debris
- Moves smoothly across surfaces and around objects
CONS
- Custom features only available via the app
Dust Bin Capacity: 1000 ml (self-empty base).
Battery Runtime: 120 mins.
Features: Recharge and resume, spot cleaning, self-empty base, UltraClean mode.
Even before the first test, we were impressed by Shark IQ’s small footprint and elegant design — especially for a model with a self-emptying bin. After only six hours of charge, it was ready to go. With the touch of a single button, it was off mapping our test locations and seamlessly navigating — without bumping — its way around and under chairs and other obstacles we placed in its route. It had no trouble cleaning beneath kitchen cabinet toe kicks or getting into small spots without getting stuck, while the LIDAR sensor at the top of the robot makes it a touch too tall to maneuver under some furniture. After meticulously covering our test floors, the Shark returned to the pier and emptied every speck it had gathered up. It picked up what we set down and returned to grab one stray that it had missed on its initial pass. Please note that it is quite noisy as it empties the trash can. However, it should only last approximately 20 seconds.
The dust bin in the self-emptying base is extra-large and easy to remove and empty. The robot and self-emptying base filters are both washable. However, only the one in the base is a HEPA filter. Other notable features include its self-cleaning brush roll, which prevents hair tangles seen on other robots, an UtraClean mode that cleans the same area three times to ensure the most thorough clean possible, and its ability to glide smoothly over lightweight rugs and mats, which frequently trip up other robots. The SharkClean app makes this robot even more customizable, but if you want to utilize something other than an app, the AI Ultra has much less to offer. You can use the app to decide which rooms you want to be cleaned and which you don’t and send the robot out to tackle high-traffic areas that require deeper cleaning or problems that need to be cleaned quickly.
2
BEST ROBOT VACUUM FOR LARGE HOUSES
Miele Scout RX2 Home Vision Robot Vacuum
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PROS
- Powered through our Lab tests faster than others
- Excellent obstacle avoidance
CONS
- Turbo setting was quite noisy
Dust Bin Capacity: 500 ml.
Battery Runtime: 120 mins.
Features: 3D object detection, auto boost carpet cleaning, spot cleaning, remote camera viewing.
Thanks to its excellent mobility, the Miele Scout RX2 Home Vision was vacuumed through our Lab tests faster than any other robot vacuum we examined. This robot vacuum cleaned up any size mess efficiently and without colliding with any barriers it encountered. On bare floors, it took up 98% of the dry dirt we laid down, and while it struggled with our faux pet hair, getting most of it lodged in the bristles of its brush, it performed our spot-cleaning test in just one minute. This model is ideal for large houses due to its 500 ml dustbin, two-hour duration, and quick, bump-free clean-up. It boasts several modern features, such as two front cameras that broadcast a live visual feed to your smart device via the app and superb obstacle avoidance (one of the finest we’ve seen). The Scout RX2 goes deep into corners and edges and automatically raises suction power when it encounters carpet, albeit it was somewhat louder in the higher power level. It also lacks the option to create no-go zones in the app and lacks a HEPA filter.
The Miele app allows you to control the robot’s movements, see which rooms have already been cleaned, and direct the robot to a specific area for spot cleaning. Remove the Wi-Fi module and utilize the remote control to plan cleaning sessions if you don’t want to be connected to your robot vacuum. The maintenance cleaning tool is fixed in the dustbin to be recovered and retained but must be physically emptied each time. This robot is sleek and easy to maintain, much like the many full-size Miele vacuums we’ve tested and listed in our roundups of the best canister and stick vacuums. This model is an excellent value for a high-end brand like Miele. The line’s step-up versions are much more expensive.
3
PROS
- Washable filter
- Mopping pads lift when carpet is detected
CONS
- One consumer tester had trouble picking up pet hair on carpet
Dust Bin Capacity: 470 ml.
Battery Runtime: 180 mins.
Features: Sonic floor scrubbing, auto carpet detection, spot cleaning, zone cleaning.
With its groundbreaking sonic technology that scrubs floors up to 3,000 times per minute, the Roborock S7 can vacuum and wet-mop your floors at the same time. Users with carpets up to 4 millimeters high can vacuum without removing the mopping pads. This robot will automatically lift the pads to avoid wetting the carpets when the pads are spotted. Remember that the pads must be removed and dried after each use to keep the robot running smoothly. The rubber primary brush can float to meet uneven terrain, distinguishing this robot vacuum from other models we’ve examined. We found it quite simple to set up in our tests, although it requires about 5 feet of free space in front of and 2 feet to the sides of the charging dock for effective placement. When we tried it for a previous Good Housekeeping Cleaning Award, our consumer testers adored it, and our panel of professionals rated it the winner. One user reported that it struggled with pet hair on the carpet, a regular problem with robot vacuums.
The S7, like our best overall pick from iRobot, features a rubber brush rather than bristles, which helps eliminate pet hair tangles, and its white color is a welcome contrast from standard black. A step-up model with an auto-empty charging dock is now available, making cleanup easier and hands-free. Roborock’s other vacuums have more advanced technologies and fancier emptying and docking stations but are more expensive. The S7’s filter is not HEPA, but it can be washed and easily removed from the robot’s dustbin.
The S7 has some of the most extensive Amazon reviews for a floor-cleaning device we’ve ever seen, with 72% being five-star ratings and dozens of people gushing about the vacuum’s amazing performance and enthusiasm for the Roborock app. “Download the app, and what’s this?” said one notable commenter. Is there no need for an email address or to create an account? Awesome! The app is seamless and lag-free, and the connection to the robot is immaculate.” When we tried our lab’s software, we discovered it worked well. It allows you to schedule automatic cleaning for various areas of your home, set limits for the robot around where you want it to clean and where you don’t want it to clean, and examine the precise route your robot vacuum has made while cleaning. Furthermore, if a space in your home needs additional attention (such as the kitchen after dinner), the app allows you to set up multiple cleaning intensities effortlessly.
4
PROS
- Slim design gets under low furniture
- Multiple options for deep or regular cleaning
CONS
- Random cleaning pattern
Dust bin capacity: 600 ml.
Battery run time: 100 mins.
Features: Auto-increase suction on carpet, advanced sensors, remote control for spot-cleaning.
The Eufy is loaded with high-end features at an affordable price. It’s also one of Eufy’s most affordable devices. Its sleek, super-slim form (just under 3 inches tall) allows it to glide beneath low ottomans and couches, grabbing even the most elusive dirt. We previously listed the RoboVac 15C Max since it was one of the quietest vacuums we evaluated, but it is now out of stock online. We obtain excellent performance from nearly every Eufy vacuum we test. You should feel comfortable buying the 11S Max, a very similar entry-level option to the 15C Max, or upgrading to a higher-priced model with more capabilities, such as the RoboVac X8.
Eufy’s BoostIQ Technology automatically increases suction power when an extra-strength cleaning operation is detected. Its big wheels let it easily go from medium-pile carpet to hardwood or tile and climb over door ledges. Eufy’s sophisticated sensors prevent it from falling off ledges or stairs and colliding with your furniture. A remote control is provided for spot cleaning or cleaning only the boundaries of your rooms. Eufy, like most robot vacuums, returns to its charging station to fully recharge before the next clean when the battery runs low.
5
PROS
- Beat all other tested robots for spot cleaning and hard floor cleaning
- No pet fur got trapped in the roller brushes
CONS
- Earned a one-star rating from Quiet Mark for being loud
Dust Bin Capacity: 400 ml (base holds up to 60 days of dust).
Battery Runtime: 75 mins.
Features: Self-emptying, smart mapping, spot cleaning, links to Braava jet robot mop, charge and continue cleaning, auto boost carpet cleaning.
We’ve tested several Roomba robots over the last 20 years, and it’s not just the brand that started it all, but one that is constantly developing and introducing intelligent, new features and products, such as room mapping and object avoidance, as well as the first mopping robot.
This iRobot Roomba s9+ is the brand’s second model to take the top rank in our robot vacuum category evaluations. It performed admirably in our hard floor cleaning tests, gathering up 99% of the dry oats, sand, baking soda, nuts, and screws that we laid out, earning it a spot on our list of the best vacuums for hardwood floors. It performed so well that it only received less than a 99% pickup rate in carpet pickup testing, where the average pickup rate for all vacuums was 73%. Because it cleans randomly, it took longer than many of the other models we tested to clean up a straight debris line. It doesn’t clean up to the charging base, like many other robot vacuums, but it cleaned more thoroughly than any other robot, and its spot-cleaning function also worked faster. Some of our favorite features included the ability to automatically increase suction when it detects a carpet and the ability to conduct two passes for a more thorough cleaning.
Roomba offers features that make cleaning easier, such as its self-emptying trash disposal system, which automatically transfers the collected dirt to the sealed, bag-lined dustbin in the charging base. And because its easy-to-remove, self-cleaning roller brushes didn’t clog with annoying pet hairs like models with bristle brushes did in our test, it’s a great robot vacuum selection for pet owners with a lot of pet hair to collect. Its high-efficiency filter captures unpleasant allergens but cannot be washed. This was one of the noisier robots we tested, with a one-star rating from Quiet Mark and our expert’s “Quite noisy!” comment.
The accompanying app was simple to use. It included many useful features, such as the ability to examine the maps the robot creates of your home as it cleans, set a schedule for cleaning when you leave the house, and designate places as no-go zones to avoid potential harm. It has one of the smartest voice command skills we’ve tested, recognizing when you order your robot to clean under or around items in a room, such as “Clean under the dining room table,” for example.
iRobot is currently updating its product portfolio. We’ll be testing the latest models shortly, and this model will most likely be replaced with ones with a revised, lower profile base and dust bin, which we adore. In addition, the majority of the new robots will wet mop. If you can get it on sale at this low price, we think this model is a steal for everything it offers. Otherwise, for a little extra, the Roomba j9+ is a terrific vacuum-only option.
How we test robot vacuums
The Home Accessories Institute Cleaning Lab has tested several types of vacuum cleaners for almost a century. We spent nearly 300 hours evaluating 15 robot vacuums using testing techniques specified by the International Electrotechnical Commission and ASTM International, accumulating 405 data points that we then utilized to grade each robot. And we’ve evaluated even more models since this test.
We examined each robot’s performance in straight-line pickup and obstacle pickup on hard floor and carpet, as well as the vacuum’s agility under couches, around tight corners, over bumps, and across hard-floor-to-carpet transitioning in a 107-square-foot walled space divided into two rooms. We examined simplicity of use in addition to performance, including how easy it is to use the model’s controls, whether the initial configuration is straightforward, and whether it is simple to remove and clean all robot elements after use. We also rank how useful the user manuals are for each.
Large and small debris is placed onto a marked area of the floor for our hard floor straight-line pickup tests (depending on the breadth of the opening of the robot vacuum’s nozzle). Then, each robot vacuum is given 10 minutes to pick up the trash from the floor, and the weight of the dustbin is taken to determine how much debris each robot vacuum picks up. Straight-line pickup tests on carpets are conducted in an enclosed space where we deposit materials such as potting soil, sand, and rayon fibers designed to resemble hair. Each robot vacuum is given a set amount of time to clean the carpet, and the weight of the dustbin is used to determine how much debris each robot can pick up.
Obstacle pickup tests are performed in both rooms of our testing facility, using a mixture of oatmeal, orzo, baking soda, and sand spread across the rooms. Our robot vacuums are set loose to collect as much debris as possible by moving beneath a couch and coffee table, crossing over an area rug, and passing through a doorway. After the robot vacuum has done cleaning, we calculate the pickup % depending on the weight of the dustbin.
What to look for when shopping for the best robot vacuum
When deciding on the best robot vacuum for your home, there are a few factors to consider.
What is the size of your home? If your robot vacuum will be covering a lot of ground, choose one with a long battery life and a huge dust bin. You want to avoid recharging your robot vacuum frequently throughout a single session. Larger spaces benefit from models that recharge and then begin cleaning where they left off.
✔️Characteristics: Robot vacuums currently have some pretty incredible characteristics. One feature we believe is very required for any home is mapping capabilities, which allow the robot to navigate your home rather than simply knocking into furniture as it travels. Others that we think are quite useful are automated carpet detection, the ability to set up no-go zones via an app and recharge and resume capabilities. However, not everyone will require all of these, and determining which ones are vital to you is an important element of selecting a robot for your household.
✔️Mapping Capabilities: Without a good mapping capability, such as LIDAR or 3D obstacle detection, a robot would just bump around your home’s objects while it cleans, and every time it starts cleaning again, it will go around your home as if it were the first time there. You can only observe the robot’s cleaning route, send it to a specific room or place (more on that below), or set up no-go zones if you have it.
✔️No-go Zones: Before robots could correctly map your floors with lasers and cameras, you had to physically seal off portions of your home that you didn’t want your robot to enter. Virtual barriers can now be set up in most robot vac programs to block off entire rooms or small space areas. No-go zone settings in the app would be useful in homes with several spots to avoid (such as children’s playpens or dog beds and bowls). If you want to use something other than an app to manage your equipment, several alternatives, such as the Miele RX2, come with physical strips to install on your floors.
✔️Spot/Zone Cleaning: Are you looking for a robot to clean under the dining room table after your children have finished eating? Select a robot that has spot or zone-cleaning modes. When you configure these modes, your robot will clean only the area you specify, either through the app or by voice instructions, so you don’t have to wait for your robot to clean the entire house before it gets to that one nasty spot under the dinner table.
Robots that recharge and then begin cleaning where they left off are extremely useful for large households. If a model lacks a feature, it will restart cleaning a room it has already cleaned halfway through from the beginning.
✔️Automatic Carpet Recognition: Models like our top selection, the iRobot Roomba S9+, can detect carpets and increase suction to pick up embedded dirt and debris. This is a fine-breaker if your home doesn’t have carpets or if you want to designate carpeted sections as no-go zones, but it’s critical for robots that vacuum and mop. You don’t want to get your carpets, and some robot makers are now addressing this issue with robots that detect carpets and elevate the mopping pads to avoid inflicting harm.
✔️Self-emptying robots take up substantially more floor area than the smaller charging bases of manually emptied robot vacuums, but they provide a much more hands-free option. These bases may often go months without being emptied, and for versions that mop, many have a water tank inside large enough to contain enough water for numerous cleaning sessions for your robot. It’s crucial to note that most manufacturers recommend keeping the base the same after it’s been set up, so choose a location that will be manageable, and your robot will have to re-map your home.
✔️Scheduled Cleaning: For a completely hands-free cleaning experience, seek a robot with a scheduled cleaning mode. After you specify the day and time you want a room cleaned, the robot will begin working on the assignment while you are sleeping or at work. Some robots will allow you to program separate cleaning schedules for each room in your home, while others may simply begin cleaning every room every time.
✔️ Price: Robot vacuums can cost anywhere from $200 to more than $1,200. Your budget will also influence the features of your robot vacuum – one with all the bells and whistles will most likely be more expensive. You can go with a lower-priced robot vacuum if you don’t need a model with floor mapping or self-emptying features. Although there are alternatives for under $100, we do not suggest them or put these incredibly cheap robot vacuums in our list of some of the finest inexpensive vacuums.
How do robot vacuums work?
A robot vacuum navigates your home using navigation technologies such as sensors, lasers, and cameras, sucking up pet hair, crumbs, and debris into its dustbin from hard floors such as wood, tile, and laminate, as well as low pile carpets and area rugs. High-end robots can typically map and learn your environment, allowing you to program the robot to clean only one room or a specific area. Still, lower-cost vacuum versions have boundary strips that you place on the floor to keep the robot where you want it. Even low-cost models contain fall-detection sensors to safeguard them from falling down the stairs.
Many vacuums are “smart” and connect to applications to help you schedule cleaning sessions. Some even integrate with Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and other digital voice assistants for a hands-free experience. All robot vacuums recharge automatically; some can even pause a cleaning operation, recharge, and resume cleaning from where they left off. Consider a type with a rubber brush roller if you have pets. We discovered cleaning pet hair and lint off a rubber brush roller was easier than cleaning a bristle brush roller.
Pick up little items you don’t want to be vacuumed (check under the bed!), and make sure power cords, clothing, rug fringe, and window blind cords are tucked away before your robot starts cleaning. Clean up any wet spills unless you’re using a wet-mop vacuum. After cleaning, empty the dust bin and use a soft cloth to clean the sensors and charging connections so the robot can navigate more accurately and connect better with the charger.
How to clean a robot vacuum
Robot vacuums should only require a little cleaning. However, each type has distinct cleaning and maintenance requirements. You can keep your robot in good working order by removing any hair tangled around the brushes, emptying (and rinsing if the manufacturer says it’s okay) the dust bin on the robot after each cleaning session, and wiping the sensors or cameras to ensure that your robot can see your home clearly for the next cleaning session.
It is critical for robots that mop to remove the mopping pads, clean them, and then allow them to dry before reinstalling them on the robot. Alternatively, you can purchase a robot that washes and dries the pads after each cleaning session, such as the Dreametech W10, named a Best Cleaning and Organizing Award winner in a previous Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning and Organizing Awards. If your manufacturer advises it, you can also rinse your robot’s filter regularly, allowing it to dry before reinstalling it, and replace it when you discover your robot’s suction isn’t as good as it used to be or as often as advised.
Are robot vacuums worth it?
While no robot can handle stairs or ground-in dirt and debris like a stick or upright vacuum (yet! ), the top performers in our tests have remarkable pick-up ratings on hard floors and low-pile carpets. They are effective for sweeping up microscopic particles such as sand and baking soda, heavy trash such as oats, orzo pasta, metal screws, nuts, and even fluffy material such as pet hair.
Consider purchasing one if you despise cleaning or want your home cleaned more frequently than you have time or energy. Robot vacuum cleaners are excellent maintenance cleaners. Send them out many times every week, and they’ll collect all the dust, pet hair, lint, and surface filth on your floors before it has a chance to accumulate or become ground in.
Another advantage is that robot vacuums clean beneath the bed, behind furniture, along the walls, and in places you may overlook or that your ordinary vacuum cannot reach. (All the vacuums we tested included brush rollers to remove pet hair and were small enough to clean under furniture at least 4 inches high; most had side brushes to help scoop debris from deep corners and edges.) They’ll clean simply the kitchen floor after supper as you watch your favorite show, or they’ll clean a full level of your house while you’re away. Can you do it faster with a conventional vacuum? Sure. The true question is if you want to.
How long do robot vacuums last?
Robot vacuums can last as long as full-size vacuums with careful care and maintenance. This means that if you clean the rotating brushes regularly (hairs will get tangled here! ), replace parts as needed, and use your robot vacuum as directed by the manufacturer; it will help you keep your home clean for years. We spoke with robot vacuum manufacturers who offered experiences with customers who had the same robot vacuum for over ten years (with replacement wheels, spinning brushes, and batteries).
