5 Clarifications On Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider 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 tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured 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 for future reference. 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 the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. smart vacuum cleaner of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. 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 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor 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 primarily comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them 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 in the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although 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 underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, vacuum robot solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light in order to see where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.