What Is It That Makes Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best So Popular?
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords. The higher-end models even sweep your floors—though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins. Best Overall The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely. Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs. The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last and makes it much easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles. In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it does. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options. This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive. The best for Carpet If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards. The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles. Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for such a small device. If robot vacuum deals looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the highest value of our top choices. The best choice for hardwood floors Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas. The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one step. If you have mixed flooring you should look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting. If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood. When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean 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 you time. They can also be dried, washed and reused. The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models. Ideal for small Spaces As the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session. A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste. However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and most require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our top model and the runners-up do this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark. In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room. Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option when you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.