How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive ones can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot the last time it was used and makes it much easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. click here to read can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app comes with 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, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. Its only downsides 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, you should look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a decent job of picking up 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 aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring 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 being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for 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 navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to run only during specific hours (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models, but it still picks up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
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 picking up crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have mixed flooring, look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. find out this here for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain 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 empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
best robot vacuums of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. 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 also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.