Who's The Most Renowned Expert On Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic 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 the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.
Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In robot vacuum cleaner sale tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The 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 is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. 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 detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer 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, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you're looking for 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 go weeks without needing to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. Look for cleaning robots that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advances reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these machines however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination to know where they are moving. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.