Everything You Need To Learn About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it 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 conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker cheap robot vacuum cleaner has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best auto vacuum for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum deals black friday vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be programmed to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best buy robot vacuum (writes in the official Blogbright blog) pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum cleaner vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging 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 reusable mop pads reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light in order to be able to see where they're moving. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up do this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
The models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to 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 cheap robot vacuum to go, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.
