How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job at removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors, but they can’t climb up stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You’ll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you’re looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won’t get tripped up when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-highest rated robot vacuum models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it stopped last and makes it much easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning robots process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
This model isn’t as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn’t able to mop and has a less effective navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can’t take in fine particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don’t need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
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 up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime 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 large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It’s also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark isn’t as powerful than some other mop/robot vacuum cleaner best combos however it’s still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren’t able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they’re not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor’s texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don’t have to worry about the robot vacuum cleaner for sale falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don’t need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they’re more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you’ll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors don’t solve all issues that these devices have, however. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light in order to see where they are going. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall models and runners-up models do this. This allows 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 near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it’s in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren’t available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.