How Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Has Become The Most Sought-After Trend In 2024
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best 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 ones can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for 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, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.
This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it stopped last and makes it much easier to tackle larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.
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. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.
Best for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.
The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one step. If you have mixed flooring choose one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.
If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.
When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and used again.
Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. 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 you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.
Best for Small Spaces
These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.
A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.
The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines, however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light to be able to see where they're going. You should consider one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models do this. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.
In addition to being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. vacuum deals 'll still want to shield any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.
A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.