The One Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Mistake Every Beginner Makes
How to Choose the best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The more expensive ones can even mop your floor robot, but they can't climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about 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 dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuum price vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves 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 for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to 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 use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the 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 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop and we loved its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills 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 hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it still manages to 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 best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop 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 in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum deals that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be dried, washed, and used again.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate an area where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
best robovac for Small Spaces
As the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advances reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to know where they are moving. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option when you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.