Unexpected Business Strategies That Aided Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Succeed
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good 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 application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a good 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 map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as 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 process at any point and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot works. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the best robot vacuum cleaner absence of obstacles and in 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 using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a huge charging dock that can run 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 has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
cheap robot vacuum cleaner vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one go. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best 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 over larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount illumination to be able see where they're headed. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up use this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being capable of working in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot sweeper to enter. This can be helpful when you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.