Ten Easy Steps To Launch Your Own Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Business
How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner (understanding)
robot cleaner vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it does. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner on sale vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums robot and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a huge charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be empty, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one step. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's 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 your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. They are also able to be dried, washed and used again.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these devices, however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all of the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.