Seven Reasons To Explain Why Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Is So Important
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robot hoover robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.
When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vac vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot vacuum cleaner quiet Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptying and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to run only during specific times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed choose one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
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 create a zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
However, the new sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're moving. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up use this. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.