5 Qualities That People Are Looking For In Every Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot that uses 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 tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. 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 works. The app provides the 3D image of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of picking up crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed and reused.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend also let you 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 present on all models we test. Check out robotvacuummops before deciding.
