Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best's History History Of Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider one that comes with 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 many robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. auto vacuum cleaner has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last which makes it easier to tackle larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, 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 fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as 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 homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptied, and it has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin like 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 debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also fit under furniture where 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 storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
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. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful when you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.