Ten Common Misconceptions About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best That Don't Always Hold
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive ones can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Choose best robot vacuums that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped, making it easier to tackle larger homes. This model is a great option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs 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, meaning you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
The best option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied, and it has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one pass. If you have mixed flooring choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
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 light dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.
The new sensors don't solve all issues with these devices, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the area. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.