5 Lessons You Can Learn From Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll want a robot vacuum cleaner best buy with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen 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 and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. But they don't pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. 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 staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot vacuum cleaner sale combinations however it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep automatic vacuum cleaner cleaning robot (Keep Reading) upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one sweep. If you have floors that are mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to get rid of light dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these devices, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount light to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.
These models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot vacuum sale to go, which can be beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.