Seven Reasons Why Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Is Important
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best robot vacuum for large House ones are adept at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic floor vacuums vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuum cleaner sale vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.
In comparison 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 comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor robot maps for future references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out 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 simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty 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 handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one pass. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor robot texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot vacuum cleaner amazon mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging 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 over to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as 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 moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems that these devices have, however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light in order to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.
In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested so make sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.