The Next Big New Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Industry
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location the last time it was used, making it easier to clean larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app includes the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't 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 items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they can't handle small particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and rug. auto vacuum cleaner has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed choose one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advances decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light to see where they are going. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful if you have pets or small children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.