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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 picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
best robot vacuum under 200 Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums (Git.Fuwafuwa.moe) that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it stopped last which makes it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app offers a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best self cleaning vacuum for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best price of our top picks.
The best choice for hardwood floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They do an excellent job of picking up crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one step. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner on sale vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.
When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. They are also able to be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. These advances have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light to see where they are going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.