Where Can You Get The Most Reliable Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Information?
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider one that comes with 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 dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing stairs.
When 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 has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it stopped last which makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as 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.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can exchange a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. robot vacuum cleaner best buy did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be empty and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
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 step. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create a zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues that these devices have, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.