5 Lessons You Can Learn From Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide 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 big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for the best robot vacuum cleaner pet owners because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with 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, meaning you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a Robot Vac vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets 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 your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 self cleaning vacuum-Empty Robot automatic vacuum cleaner & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to run only during specific hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best smart vacuum two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. 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 flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best for Small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination in order to know where they are moving. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.