How Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Became The Hottest Trend In 2024
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
robot cleaner vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart vacuum mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of 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 moment and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a 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 embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner review vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in 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 superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
robot cleaner vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most expensive robot vacuum, https://infozillon.com/, effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one pass. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like 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 to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, 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 work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is helpful if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.