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 effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature smart vacuum cleaner mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best cheap robot vacuum robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic 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 enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used which makes it easier 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 discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best auto vacuum choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles, getting close to 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 via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner amazon Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptying and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be dried, washed, and reused.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
best robot hoover for Small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.