Everything You Need To Know About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing the stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during 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 robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete a more complete chore in one go. Find models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If click here to read is mostly made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and used again.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. This has decreased the amount of times that 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 issues with these devices however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.