How Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Was The Most Talked About Trend Of 2024
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles and allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.
The most expensive models can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins 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 like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing steps.
robotic vacuum cleaner sale from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.
The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can last for months without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Choose one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor 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, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems that these devices have however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.