5 Lessons You Can Learn From Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
Compared to click to read -rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best value of our top choices.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one pass. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be washed, dried and reused.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can use the app to create a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.
However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
They can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below before making your purchase.