Unexpected Business Strategies That Helped Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Succeed
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll need a robot vacuum cleaner review that has decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of automatic hoover robot (click to find out more) vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing steps.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
best robot vacuum for the money for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors let it 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 dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name suggests that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these devices however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
The models can 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 need to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.