How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.
The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily messes. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.
Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing the stairs.
The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.
In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app offers a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.
While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. Many models do a decent job of removing 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 can't handle small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.
The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between a cleaning 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 simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.
If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum &