10 Tips For Quickly Getting Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart vacuum cleaner mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot the last time it was used which makes it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app offers the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to 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 program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring and rugs. 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 dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have mixed flooring you should look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot floor cleaner mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. They can also be washed, dried and reused.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning robots for home session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.