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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuum cleaner quiet vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self vacuum near me-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing steps.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to cover larger spaces. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum robot that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one step. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the automatic floor cleaners (straight from the source)'s texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to get rid of light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and used again.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. 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 you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they need a certain level of light to be able to be able to see where they're moving. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models do this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.