How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. But they don't pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. cleaning robots lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptying and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one step. If you have mixed flooring you should look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards 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 get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
robot vacuum cleaner sale for small Spaces
Like the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become 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.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.
These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. robot vacuum cleaner cheap is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't included on all of the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below before making your purchase.