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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with 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 tested many robotic vacuum cleaner deals vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill 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 trip when climbing the stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four automatic floor cleaners plans for later use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete 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 items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select one that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot cleaner commercial vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to climb 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 to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, 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 having to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed choose a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robotic vacuum cleaner deals mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. They are also able to be dried, washed and reused.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light in order to see where they are going. Consider getting one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our best overall models and runners-up models use this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.