The best robot vacuums of 2022

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Robot vacuums have come a long way in the past few years. They're smarter, more powerful, and (marginally) better at dodging chair legs than they've ever been before, and you don't have to shell out so much money to get one either. There are also many more robot vacuums available now than there used to be, so deciding which one to buy isn't as simple as choosing the latest model from the biggest brand. We've tested several of the newest models available today to see how they compare to each other and to help you choose the best robot vacuums for your needs.

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We covered this question in our guide to budget robot vacuums and the answer is yes, especially if vacuuming is one of your least favorite tasks. Robots make cleaning your floors simple - just turn on the device and watch it work. Any robot vacuum worth buying is semi-autonomous in that it will vacuum dirt around your home until its battery runs low and then return to its charging station. You should only have to interact with it to turn it on, empty its bin and untangle it if it gets stuck somewhere.

That's not to say that robot vacuums are perfect. They are almost always less powerful and less flexible than standard vacuums. Since most robot vacuums are much smaller than traditional models, they often don't have the same level of suction you'll get in an upright machine. Also, their bins are smaller, so they will need to be emptied more frequently. While WiFi-connected robot vacuums give you the flexibility to start a cleaning job from anywhere using an app, targeting a small area of ​​your home can be trickier. Some robot vacuums have spot cleaning features that focus the machine's attention on a specific area, which almost - but not quite - mimics the spot cleaning you might do yourself with a regular vacuum or wireless.

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As we explained in our budget guide, Wi-Fi is a key feature for most robot vacuums. However, some of the cheaper devices are not connected to WiFi, so if you are looking for the most affordable devices, it is better to check this feature before buying. Wi-Fi connectivity allows a robot vacuum to do things like communicate with a mobile app, which then allows you to control the device from your phone.

Suction power is another important factor to consider. Unfortunately, there's no standard power scale that all robot vacuums adhere to, so it's hard to compare suction power between a bunch of devices. Some companies provide Pascal (Pa) levels and generally the higher the Pa the stronger the vacuum will be. But other companies don't trust Pa levels and just say that their robots have X-times more suction than other robots.

Ultimately, we recommend thinking about the floors in your home first: do you have carpet everywhere, or tile and parquet, or a mix? Robots with stronger suction power will do a better job cleaning carpets because they can get into nooks and crannies more easily. Some machines also have "max" modes, which increase suction power, but also generally consume battery life faster than "normal" cleaning mode.

Above a certain price point, you'll find advanced features like home mapping, enhanced object detection, and automatic trash disposal. Home mapping is exactly what it sounds like: the vacuum uses sensors to map the layout of your home as it cleans, allowing you to send it to particular rooms or areas during cleaning jobs later. Most robot vacuums have some version of object detection, but some will be better than others at avoiding things like chair legs and children's toys. Some, like