The History Of Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide 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 can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing steps.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. However, robot cleaner robotvacuummops does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up 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 an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking 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 vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as rugs. 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 that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be empty, and it has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one pass. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to create a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors don't solve all the problems that these devices have however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount light to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.
Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.