How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
robotic vacuum cleaner that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it stopped last and makes it much easier to cover larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at 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. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If Related Site is mostly made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and used again.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines, however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
The models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.