Everything You Need To Know About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot remote vacuum cleaner Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors however they're not 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 we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences 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 loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. The app offers a 3D view of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot vacuum cleaner on sale isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well 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 were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider 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 empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top robot vacuum cleaner choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum robot, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one step. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robot vacuum cleaner comparison (resources) mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be washed, dried and used again.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests, these robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to know where they are going. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to map the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
The models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful if you have pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.