The Reasons To Work With This Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
best smart vacuum Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. 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 steps.
Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger spaces. This model is a great 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 which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to detect 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 stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot works. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot vac is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well 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 that are not bare and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be empty, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). 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 price of our top rated robot vacuum picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one move. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust 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 may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these machines, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
The models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have pets or children. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.