5 Lessons You Can Learn From Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at 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 big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-highest rated robot Vacuum models. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot cleaner commercial vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting closer 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 carpets. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot vacuum cleaners Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be empty, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one step. Choose models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
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. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up an area where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through 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 you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums robot went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic hoovers snag whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues that these devices have however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.