Everything You Need To Know About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient 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 handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the best self cleaning robot vacuum-rated models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is a good option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to detect 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 is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot works. The app includes the 3D image of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however 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 less effective navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. 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 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum price vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go 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 high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart robot mapping system and can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
best self cleaning robot vacuum for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack 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 two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one step. If you have mixed flooring, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts 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 robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors 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 remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and reused.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the problems that these devices have, however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require a certain level of light to know where they are going. You should consider a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our top overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.