Seven Explanations On Why Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Is So Important
How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner (a fantastic read)
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic 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 such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it has the ability to plan automated cleaning times and return to the location where it stopped last which makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The app includes a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best robot vacuum under 200 option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature 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 charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
budget robot vacuum vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner canister automated vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one pass. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent vacuum cleaner navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance, use the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advancements decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to be able to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.
A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.Best Overall
The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic 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 such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it has the ability to plan automated cleaning times and return to the location where it stopped last which makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The app includes a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.
The best robot vacuum under 200 option for Carpet
If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature 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 charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
budget robot vacuum vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner canister automated vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.
The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one pass. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.
If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent vacuum cleaner navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance, use the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advancements decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to be able to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.