Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best: The Secret Life Of Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about one that comes with smart robot vacuums 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 vacuum cleaner on sale vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at 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's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a huge charging dock that can run for months without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic hoover robot emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system that can be programmed to only run for certain times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and remote vacuum cleaner like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. 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 every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our top pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot vacuum hoover to think it's in a different space.
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 beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.
