Everything You Need To Know About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
buy robot vacuum cleaner vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.
In comparison 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 comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot cleaner amazon mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner top 10 vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
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 fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other robot automatic vacuum/mop combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one pass. Find models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be dried, washed and used again.
Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older models faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.
