Why Is Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best So Famous
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing stairs.
Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last which makes it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top 10 robot vacuum cleaner models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for 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 that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 self-cleaning robot vacuums Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be empty, and it has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best robot vacuum deals option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best robot vacuum robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one go. If you have mixed flooring choose models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be dried, washed and reused.
Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested, so be sure to read our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.