What Do You Know About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best automatic vacuum models are capable of cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top 10 robot vacuum cleaner-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app provides a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like sand and baking soda as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home when you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you're looking for a high-tech automated vacuum cleaner Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top 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, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor that 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 your home is composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors don't solve all issues with these devices however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they need a certain level of light to see where they are moving. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the automatic floor cleaner, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to read our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.