The Next Big Event In The Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Industry
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. top rated robot vacuum performers do a good job picking up dust and other small particles, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb up stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker automated vacuum cleaner isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it last stopped and makes it much easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a good option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. The app provides a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor vacuum robot. You do not need 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 solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied and has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best robot vacuum black friday two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one go. If you have mixed flooring, look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor vacuum robot's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, 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 floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried 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 to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need a certain level of light to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested and recommend that you read our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.
