Where Can You Get The Most Reliable Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Information?
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.
The 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 carpets and rugs. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a decent job at 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 may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vac uum s and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one go. Look for models that have an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are made 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 bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vac uums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has 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.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to trace the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to read our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.