Everything You Need To Learn About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
best rated robot vacuum Overall
The top robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model with 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 tried many robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing steps.
In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it last stopped and makes it much easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can 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 to be used in the future for use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers 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, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select one that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic automatic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot cleaner commercial vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot vacuum cleaner amazon Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum to complete an entire task in one sweep. If you have floors that are mixed choose one with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum cleaner best vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top overall pick and runner-up models use this. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
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. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.