10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model equipped 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 tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing stairs.
When compared to 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. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it stopped last which makes it easier to tackle larger homes. best home vacuum cleaner is a great choice for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they can't handle fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptied, and it has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however, it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one move. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed, dried and reused.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all issues with these machines however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light in order to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our top models and runners-up models have this feature. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
These models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. 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 let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.