What Is It That Makes Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best So Popular
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuum cleaner on sale vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing steps.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best value robot vacuum choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum deals vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. Choose models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning robots times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This has reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these machines however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light to know where they are going. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our best floor vacuum robot overall models and runners-up models use this. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend let you 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 the models we've tested so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.