Unexpected Business Strategies Helped Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Achieve Success
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum bot with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can exchange a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed 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. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum cleaner review vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best inexpensive robot vacuum choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one pass. If you have mixed flooring you should look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting 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 dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name suggests, these robots are best buy robot vacuum designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances reduced the number of times that our testers had 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 the problems with these machines, however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light in order to be able to see where they're going. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to map the area. Our best overall models and runners-up models do this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.