15 Things You Don t Know About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power 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 that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for Automatic Vacuum PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. In addition, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can 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 to be used in the future for references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
The best inexpensive robot vacuum for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum (Thoughtlanes published a blog post) with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some are capable of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for a model equipped 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 lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum cleaners vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed, dried and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto vacuum cleaner-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advancements have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic floor scrubber snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the new sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones did and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, as our top 5 robot vacuum overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.