Ten Robot Vacuum Cleaner Bests That Really Make Your Life Better
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large 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 take on stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models, this black friday robot vacuum deals and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with an organized 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 automatic floor cleaner maps for future use. 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 does its work. The app offers a 3D view of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature 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 sweeper (company website) Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run during certain times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one step. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and the 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 a zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless robot vacuum or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they are moving. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.