How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous 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 the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app includes 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, it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have mixed flooring, look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. They are also able to be washed, dried and used again.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advances have reduced the number 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.
However, the new sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to see where they're going. read full article should consider one that has a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to trace the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.