For Whom Is Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best And Why You Should Care
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent vacuum cleaner mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot vacuum cleaner ebay that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you remote control vacuum cleaner the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot 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's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can 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 references. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. It is possible to swap out the automatic cleaning robot bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run 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 large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the job in one step. 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, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum cleaner vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases 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 wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to 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, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these devices however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to see where they are moving. Look into one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top models and runners-up models have this feature. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.