How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and other small particles and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The most expensive models will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.
Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.
In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. robot vacuum cleaner on sale has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.
For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. 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 spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are great for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one go. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
robot vacuum cleaner on sale is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. They can also be dried, washed, and used again.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for example, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these devices however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to be able to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that might hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below before making your purchase.