5 Lessons You Can Learn From Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the best vacuums robot vacuum cleaner (read this blog post from 79bo1.com)
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robot vacuum robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you 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 the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be empty and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best self cleaning robot vacuum value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one go. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be washed, dried and reused.
Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advances reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices, however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light in order to see where they are going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.
