Looking For Inspiration Check Out Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the best combo Vacuum Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive 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 robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
This robot vac from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place the last time it was used and makes it much easier to cover larger areas. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent 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 see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs easily 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 and let you do chores while the robot vacuum cleaner comparison works. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose one with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot vacuum cleaner industrial combinations however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have floors that are mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. They are also able to be washed, dried and reused.
Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless robot vacuum or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these devices however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.
