How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing steps.
In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app offers the 3D image 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 picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. click through the following website page is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a 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 take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are great for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed you should 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, comes with this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to get rid of light 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 mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually 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 and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. This has reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
These models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.