The Most Inspirational Sources Of Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to remote control vacuum cleaner it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used and makes it much easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
For most expensive robot vacuum carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest rated robot vacuum price of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. 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 dried, washed and reused.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they are going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the area. Our top models and runners-up models have this feature. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.