Why You Should Be Working With This Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot works. The included app offers 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 downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.
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 are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one go. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. They can also be dried, washed and used again.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or plan 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 that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. robot cleaner can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. This has have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced, and many of them need a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top overall models and runners-up models use this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
They can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.