5 Clarifications On Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose one with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 amazon robot vacuum vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the Floor washing Robot from becoming wet. You don't need 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 getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other robot floor cleaner vacuum/mop combinations however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one go. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. They can also be dried, washed, and reused.
Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these devices however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
Some 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 helpful when you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.