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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 as well as light debris and cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys 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 Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. In addition, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it stopped last and makes it much easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot works. The app comes with 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, it is superior in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
auto vacuum cleaner for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. vacuum deals don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as carpets. auto vacuum has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to run only during specific hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete an entire task in one pass. If you have flooring that is mixed choose one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. 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. They are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up an area where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these devices however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older models faced, and many of them need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.
Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.