How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners since 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 the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it does. The app provides the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. 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 spinning at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot cleaner commercial (http://47.108.105.48/) vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top rated robot vacuum-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep automatic cleaning robot carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is composed of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. They can also be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto vacuum cleaner-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuum cleaner commercial vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This has reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light in order to see where they are moving. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
They can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This can be helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below before making your purchase.