5 Lessons You Can Learn From Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the best buy robot vacuum robot vacuum cleaner (click through the next page)
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. And, 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 the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the cheap robot vacuum vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. 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 does its work. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best robot vacuum for large house choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider 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 cleaned. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one pass. If you have floors that are mixed, look for models with an onboard sensor which 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 composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum cleaners mop and vacuum bot combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better 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, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination to be able to know where they are going. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top model and the runners-up have this feature. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
They can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.
