How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Look for robot vacuum sale that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing steps.
In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology 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. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate 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 better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one pass. If you have floors that are mixed choose 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 move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. robot vacuum deals has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.
Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.