How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best 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 that can take on stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
https://output.jsbin.com/doliruyogu/ , a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums 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 likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing steps.
Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it last stopped which makes it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with the 3D image 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 removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has 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 running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however it does pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. https://burt-welch-3.technetbloggers.de/solutions-to-issues-with-best-robot-floor-cleaner lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed and used again.
Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal 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 when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to see where they are moving. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top pick and runner-up models do this. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition to being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.