Searching For Inspiration Check Out Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot broom vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like ones that have self vacuum near me-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the best vacuums-rated models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it stopped last and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app offers the 3D image of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need to take them off 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.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to go up and over 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 that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be empty, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one move. Find models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent vacuum cleaner navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It 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 breaking 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 over to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't 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 puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to know where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being capable of working in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is a great option for those with small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.
