Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best: The Secret Life Of Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
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 cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like those 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 detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor 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 and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at 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 navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the job in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't need 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, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create a zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices, however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need an adequate amount of light in order to see where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. More 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.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.