How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
In comparison to 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 has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. 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, look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a speed 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 getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off 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 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 your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have floors that are mixed choose models with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
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 pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. robot vacuum cleaner sale can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating 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 compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This has have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these machines however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require some level of illumination in order to be able to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.