How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The most expensive models can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the location the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests, we found 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 identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we loved its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.
robotic hoovers for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed choose a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood 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 remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be dried, washed, and reused.
The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to create zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.
Best suited for small Spaces
As the name implies, these robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. Recommended Internet page are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.
However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need a certain level of light to know where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up picks do. robotic hoovers allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful if you have pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.