The Most Common Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Mistake Every Newbie Makes
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to house cleaning robot. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart robot mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is a great option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets 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 your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we loved its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs, 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, 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 needing to be empty. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it still picks hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and 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 best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one move. If you have mixed flooring choose a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning robot price times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount light 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 a top robot vacuum-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.
