10 Life Lessons That We Can Learn From Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best
How to Choose the best robot vacuums robot cleaner Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust, light debris and Auto vacuum Cleaner cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, 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. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control the robot cleaner commercial 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 sweeper vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill 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 trip up when climbing steps.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it stopped last and makes it much easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.
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 carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few 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 fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for such a small device.
If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has impressive ability to navigate and Auto Vacuum cleaner-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.
Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name implies the robots are best rated robot vacuum designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.
The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems that these devices have, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the area. Our top pick and runner-up models use this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.
In addition being capable of working in dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful if you have pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.