The One Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Mistake Every Beginner Makes
How to Choose the best robot remote vacuum cleaner cleaner (that guy)
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it stopped last and makes it much easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic floor cleaner emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run during certain times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one go. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting 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 dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot vacuum cleaner for sale snag.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these devices however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination to see where they are going. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to map the area. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.
