10 Tips For Quickly Getting Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive ones can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best combo vacuum robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing stairs.
Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select one with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine 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 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum cleaner on sale vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in being close 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 and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptying and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It's also got a smart vacuum cleaner-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it does pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
best floor vacuum robot for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of picking up crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large 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 most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model 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 move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can, use the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and most need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the models below before making your purchase.