Unexpected Business Strategies That Helped Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Achieve Success
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum bot cleaner
A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles and allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.
The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.
Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.
The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro at picking up heavier items 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 impressive navigation system.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few are capable of 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 may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.
The best robot floor cleaner choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum deals/mop, which allows you to swap between a house cleaning robot bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.
Best for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one pass. If you have floors that are mixed, look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum cleaner reviews vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.
The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
As the name suggests, these robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.
A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.
However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to know where they are going. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our top overall model and the runners-up use this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.
The 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's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.
A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.