Why Is Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best So Popular
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular house Cleaning Robot. Top performers are good at picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model 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 PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where 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 spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one that scores high for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation abilities and automatic floor vacuum emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining a remote vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one move. Find a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot cleaner mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end 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 traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and most require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
They can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.