Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best's History History 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 in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
best robot cleaner , a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that can 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 robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place the last time it was used and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a great option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can 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 detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop and we loved its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors, as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptied and has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it still picks up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For best automatic vacuum cleaner , you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot snag.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues that these devices have, however. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light to be able to see where they're moving. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you don't want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.