Searching For Inspiration? Try Looking Up Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize 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 has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger spaces. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) 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 use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. Many models do a good job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
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 fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.
robotvacuummops for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one step. Find one that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors 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 using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. You should consider one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This lets them 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 on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.