Could Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Be The Answer To Achieving 2024?
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and many 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. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The best robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing the stairs.
In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to cover larger areas. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app provides a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.
Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.
Ideal for Hard Floors
Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed choose one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.
When it comes to mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.
The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these machines however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light in order to see where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
In addition being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.
best home vacuum cleaner of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This can be helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.