Could Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Be The Key To Dealing With 2024?
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job of removing dust and other small particles, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a good 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 with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding 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 up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one go. Find robotic vacuum cleaners that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove 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 reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could get 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, a toy or pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these devices however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to see where they are moving. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't included on all the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.