The Unspoken Secrets Of Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily messes. 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 a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. Additionally, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it last stopped and makes it much easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify 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 use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app provides the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vac uum that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device 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 charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. Find one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo 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 can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle 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 couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they're moving. Consider getting a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the area. Our top overall pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.