15 Things You've Never Known About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models that have 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 are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing stairs.
Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it last stopped and makes it much easier to tackle larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able 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 you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
vacuum deals isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select one with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and 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 the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. self vacuum and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.
If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one move. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop 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 help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. vacuum deals can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. You should consider a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall models and runners-up models do this. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.