The Next Big Thing In The Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Industry
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
robot vacuum cleaners vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a automated vacuum cleaner that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on 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 to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be empty and has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one go. If you have mixed flooring choose models equipped 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 switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best auto vacuum designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than the 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 an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advances reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these devices however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they need a certain level of light to know where they are going. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to map the space. Our top pick and runner-up models use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
They can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room cleaning robot.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the self-cleaning robot vacuums to go to. This can be helpful if you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.