3 Ways The Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Influences Your Life
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust, light debris and cords.
The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it last stopped, making it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.
The best home vacuum cleaner for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart robot navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these machines, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot vacuum cleaner black friday to think it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.