The One Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Mistake Every Beginner Makes
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app provides the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot vacuum cleaner comparison 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 objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot automated vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other buy robot vacuum cleaner vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it does pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one move. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. 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 need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best designed for The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments 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 avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean smart robot up after a robot snag.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our top robot vacuum cleaner overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, since 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 that we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.Best Overall
The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app provides the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
Although this robot vacuum cleaner comparison 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 objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot automated vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other buy robot vacuum cleaner vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it does pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one move. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and reused.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. 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 need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
Like the name suggests the robots are best designed for The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments 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 avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean smart robot up after a robot snag.
However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our top robot vacuum cleaner overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.
In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, since 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 that we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.