The Unspoken Secrets Of Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app includes the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also 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/mop. It allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart mapping system that can be set to run only during specific hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one step. Look for best robot vacuums that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. They can also be dried, washed and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. 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.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues that these devices have, however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination to know where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where 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 making your choice.