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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger areas. robot cleaner is an excellent choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app offers a 3D view of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't have 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 the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one pass. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated 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 can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the 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, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be washed, dried and used again.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, or to label 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 you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. robot cleaner in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these devices, however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need an adequate amount of light in order to be able to see where they're going. Look into an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the area. Our top model and the runners-up have this feature. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is a great option when you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.