7 Tips About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best That Nobody Will Tell You
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is a great option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. budget robot vacuum is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app provides a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as 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, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home when you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and rugs. 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 top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. They can also be dried, washed and used again.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have, however. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light to be able to know where they are moving. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the space. Our top overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.