The Next Big New Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Industry
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuum cleaner best vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing steps.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it was last. This makes 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, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is able to stop and restart cleaning robots 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 as our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum Cleaner cheap vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. But they don't pick up small particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. 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 detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very 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 only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top 5 robot vacuum picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one move. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed, dried and used again.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts 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 the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount illumination to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot vacuum cleaner price to think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.
