10 Quick Tips For Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent vacuum cleaner mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot vacuum hoover mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item 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 fantastic option. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic floor cleaners emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best robovac robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot vacuum cleaner industrial mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. They can also be washed, dried and used again.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become 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 cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to know where they are moving. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.
