How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
robot vacuum sale tested were efficient, easy-to-use 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 additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it stopped last and makes it much easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, 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 is superior in removing small particles like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as 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 that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed and reused.
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 zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This has have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to map the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot to 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 go through our complete reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.