Ten Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Myths That Aren't Always True
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.
vacuum deals is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing the stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it 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 also pause the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app offers 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, it is superior in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select one that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very 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 to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptying and has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one move. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. They can also be washed, dried and used again.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to create an area where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Ideal 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 moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. This has reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light in order to see where they are moving. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option when you have pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.