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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.
see post is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.
In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. Many models do a good job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.
For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one go. Find one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. 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. They can also be washed, dried and used again.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies that these robots are to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.
A few of the models we recommend will allow you to 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 included on all the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.