How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot 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 robovacs that have the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing steps.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot the last time it was used and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. But they don't pick up 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 option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only 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 has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. look at here now lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one move. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding 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 using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. 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 every time as you would with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins 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 them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors don't solve all issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to map the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being able to work in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.