What Do You Know About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it last stopped, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested 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. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. best robot vacuums offers the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we loved its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptying, and it has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. They can also be washed, dried and reused.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. This has have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models do this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
The models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.