How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
Compared 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 large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. robot vacuum cleaner best of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. look at here now were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for models with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to get rid of light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. robotic vacuum cleaner best can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. This has have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones did, and many of them need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
These models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.