Unexpected Business Strategies That Helped Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best To Succeed
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of 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 refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier 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, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with an organized 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 to be used in the future for reference. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum s/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
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 while you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs and its ability to climb 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 has a huge charging dock that can go months without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. 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 a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for instance utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors don't solve all issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to map the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up do this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.