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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.
The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to cover larger areas. This model is a great option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app offers a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot vacuum cleaner industrial Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
amazon robot vacuum vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
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 designate areas that the vacuum robot will not enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems that these devices have, 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 lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.
