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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you 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 numerous robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.
This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot the last time it was used and makes it much easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it does. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.
The best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a good job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. robotic vacuum cleaner on sale don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one go. If you have mixed flooring, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and used again.
The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and 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
These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.
The new sensors don't solve all issues that these devices have, however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require a certain level of light in order to know where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
They can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. robotic vacuum cleaner sale used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.