For Whom Is Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best And Why You Should Care
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones 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 are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app offers the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptying and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable robot vacuum price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best budget robot vacuum robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one step. Find models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo 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 also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. They are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.
Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate an area where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these machines however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination to be able to see where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space as our Top 5 robot Vacuum (R19.ru) overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot vacuum sale to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested, so be sure to read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.