How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location the last time it was used, making it easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. best robot vacuum detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to go 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 advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be empty, and it has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models, but it still picks hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have mixed flooring, look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised 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 floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. click through the next post reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older models faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's 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 go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.