Are Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best The Greatest Thing There Ever Was
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart robot mapping technology, or an app that lets you 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 hundreds of robot vacuum cleaner quiet vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing steps.
In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested 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. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app includes the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 affordable robot vacuum vacuum and mop that lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. 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 spinning at 200 rpm. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto vacuum cleaner-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the Best roborock vacuum value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. 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 robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one move. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac as well as the 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 where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto vacuum-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these devices, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older models faced and most require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be configured 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, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.
