How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even mop your automatic floor cleaning machine, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
best vacuums Overall
The Best Combo remote vacuum cleaner (Git.fuwafuwa.moe) robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app offers a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select an automatic floor cleaner vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up small particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into 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 is also better than other robot vacuum price vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
Another good 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 mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
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 great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
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. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops are also able to 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 zone that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advances reduced the number of times that 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 haven't eliminated all the issues that these devices have, however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light to see where they are moving. Look into a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
The models 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. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is a great option when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.