5 Lessons You Can Learn From Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best self cleaning vacuum robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuum near me vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items 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 for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot remote vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic floor vacuum emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one step. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to 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 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, saving you time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and reused.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate 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 that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best 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 the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the 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 traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.
However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need a certain level of light to be able to know where they are moving. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.