The People Closest To Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Share Some Big Secrets
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using 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 time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced automated cleaning options.
Although this robot cleaner commercial isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one sweep. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly 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 price mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot vacuum black friday falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuum cleaner commercial vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic vacuum cleaner reviews snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination in order to know where they are moving. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
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 above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.