A Glimpse Into Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best's Secrets Of Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and 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 want a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves 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 vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.
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 at of removing dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one move. If you have mixed flooring you should look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch 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 has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance make use of the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. These advances reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. 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 that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.