5 Lessons You Can Learn From Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot cleaning machine vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
Compared to the top-highest rated robot vacuum models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a great option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app provides the 3D image of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less efficient 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 carpet and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the automatic vacuum cleaner floor cleaner [Click Home], and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.
best automatic floor cleaner for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one pass. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for models 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 allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our best 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 to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This can be helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.