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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
best automatic vacuum cleaner Overall
The best affordable robot vacuum robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing steps.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need 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 stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger spaces. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
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 having to be empty. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of removing crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one go. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean smart Robot hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking 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 clean to remove light dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be dried, washed and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum cannot 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 puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning robots for home session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines, however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination to be able to see where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
These models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.
