The Next Big New Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Industry
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning robots for home. Top performers are good at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app offers a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some are capable of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering 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 be set to only mop and we loved its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot vacuum ebay Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be empty, and it has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best vacuums two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor 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 your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac is controlled 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 be allowed to enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name suggests the robots are best suited 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 fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuum cleaner cheap vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older models faced and most need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. Consider getting one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up use this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.
