10 Quick Tips For Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.
In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot works. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum cleaner vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device 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 great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be empty, and it has impressive navigation skills and automatic floor cleaners emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one pass. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. They are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.
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 set up an area that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these devices, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes a top rated robot vacuum-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.
