Why Is Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best So Popular
How to Choose the best robot vacuums Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best smart vacuum-rated models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location the last time it was used which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't have remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum cleaner cheap vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one sweep. Choose a model that has 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 lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum cleaner amazon vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot vacuum cleaner Amazon accident.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older models faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our top overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
They can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.