How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
When 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. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose one with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its excellent navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is composed of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to get rid of light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. hop over to this website has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This has have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space 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 work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas 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.