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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum sale vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled 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 a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum cleaner industrial vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum robot that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it still manages to pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one go. If you have mixed flooring choose models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum cleaner on sale mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. They are also able to be dried, washed and used again.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the Robot Vacuum Cleaner Comparison think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to read our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.