10 Quick Tips To Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates 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 tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features, such as ones 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 are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a good option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid 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 is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, however it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they can't handle small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring 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 large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one step. Find robotic hoovers that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and reused.
Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems that these devices have however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to know where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
In addition being capable of working in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.