How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
cleaning robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to 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 reference. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home while you are away. robot vacuum cleaner on sale can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptying and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of an entire task in one pass. If you have mixed flooring, look for one with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts 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 may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has have 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.
However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount illumination to be able see where they're headed. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to map the space. Our top overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This can be helpful if you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the models below before making your purchase.