10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum cleaner for sale 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 light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best automatic vacuum cleaner robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuum cleaner deals 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 the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger homes. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. 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 works. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the Automatic Floor Cleaning machine. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs 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 while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. 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 high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best robot floor cleaner value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one sweep. Find a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting 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 remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads are also able to 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. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and most require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. Look into an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top model and the runners-up do this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.