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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app 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 numerous robot 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 robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place the last time it was used which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic Hoover robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a decent job at 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 may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 cheap robot vacuum cleaner vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the automatic floor cleaner from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.
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 and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system that can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
robot hoover vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one pass. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. 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 you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. These advances reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to see where they're moving. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
The models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the affordable robot vacuum to visit. This can be helpful when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.