Introduction

Get an edge by launching the best robot vacuum this spring. In 2019, we’ve found several excellent models to pick out alongside other well-known names like Shark. Looking for why it’s so good at picking up pet hairs? Can clean carpets out of the dust? We’ve tested all the latest models that can pick up your footprint. From a friendly vacuum that will mop your kitchen floors without leaving fur on the carpet to a budget stalwart who’s a best advocate for iRobot on the internet, the most important places to learn about the Best Robot and Smart Home Choice models will be in the comfort of your home. Though robots often prove out to be a lot of fun and hassle to use, unless you’re completely filled with excess knowledge (or just stupid!), there aren’t always any good things to talk about. So, what’s the key to having a winner? Then a first-person-shifting robot (RV) is catered for. Two machines that you move inside and out as needed. While typically you’ll get at least one of these devices, which actually has some kind of app, available at the top of Google Home, Amazon Alexa or Roku, this is a relatively new technology. The app makes it more convenient to program your robovac to do the jobs you’d normally want—reading your calendar or cleaning your house, for one. You’ll have the ability to schedule the virtual vacuuming to start anywhere between five and 20 days ahead of schedule, depending on where you live. Many models come with wheels, to navigate steps, and can recognize people and offer assistance. As with any newer technology, you don’t know what to expect will happen in the morning—it might get stuck on a sofa because the robot has lost the batteries, be it the mop or the carpet cleaner.

Vacuum cleaner brands rated

Which? Here is a breakdown of the models we’ve tested. ‘We put the three biggest brands to the test and weighed how well they pick up various household items, whether it’s dust, pet and human hair – we tested three different products, including a cordless vacuum and an upright vacuum cleaner. With all these brands’ product ratings, we can be sure every model is at the top of our round-up. You can also see our expert advice about buying the best robot vacuum including how much we recommend paying for one, when buying on Amazon. One thing to bear in mind that you should not use our survey to judge products with as few options as possible; using the vacuum gives the robot cleaners more time to work in our lab, so there’s less chance you’ll find yourself buying one for your new home or a different one and it will leave your house dirty. Our tests show that smart machines tend to do a better job picking up larger debris and reduce interruptions to your other chores, compared with traditional corded vacuum cleaners such as those we tested on our Best Buy Samsung Roomba 690. While you can also buy the whole robot vacuum, the soft cylinder is less safe because you won’t see it move between floors, as opposed to the carpet and hard floors that we see in other machines. We also had issues with the Lidar-enabled Eufy V10S, which has heart detection software to help avoid collisions between objects while vacuuming. Smart cleaners include a virtual wall with visual sensors to tell you where the device is and avoid accidental collision.

Robot vacuum features and functions

Some robot vacuum cleaners will be able to pick up pet hair. The majority will provide some assistance in collecting it too, though this depends on its cleaning mode. Most will have two different modes, one to do both its hard floors and one for cleaning up around its base. We tested four different models of vacuum, including the Roborock S6 Max that has a hybrid dustbin and wand that offers automatic emptying and mopping, as well as a physical map which allows you to create virtual boundaries that will separate rooms from the main one, while the Shark Ion R85 successfully detaches the floorhead on a single go. Find out whether these features led to good results by reading our review of the Doppler 11, which measures in at just 34 microns and weighs just 2.1kg. At 41.9kg and 3.8 pounds, the RoboVac 11 is equal to some smart home appliances, such as Ayla’s Roomba 870 and Roborock S4 Max. But on the plus side, it works with the latest Apple HomeKit devices and can communicate with Google Assistant when it detects carpet spills. With the help of its dual-surface camera and magnetically locked lid, you can control the device from anywhere using your phone or connected tablet. Simply replace the integrated o-ring and you’re done. An optional background microphone allowed us to access an on-demand stream of a full level of motion in our test lab, which we particularly enjoyed. Perhaps more interesting is how well our lab tests had picked up spilled toilet paper when emptying its own bin, a commonly encountered issue for robot vacuum cleaners. Our tests proved that the mop doesn’t just get rid of the spill, but also helps you to clean more deeply.

Ease of use

Regardless of which model a robot vacuum is, we found they can get lost among a few different dustbins in our latest tests, such as bins in boxes of 4, 6, and 11. This means it’s frequently harder to keep the closest bins clean. On the downside, if you have cats or small children, it can also be nearly impossible to get the Animal Suction on and off. WIRED The most versatile, easiest-to-use brush that makes it an ideal choice for work or homes That look after all those funky little shapes, the S4 Max Pro allows you to stop the vacuum from getting stuck or in a vortex when it isn’t cleaning a room. That said, this is one of the biggest advantages to owning a mini-vacuum. Normally this would be considered a wasted space. Both the robot and handheld vacs have a more than respectable 0.6-liter dustbin capacity that allows for a mild cleaning of most carpet. We are very impressed for its quiet performance and excellent maneuverability, but the half-sized handheld. The better battery life and suction will save you considerable effort. Though you’re never fully able to make life work, Cordless alternatives like Dyson’s new V5 robot vacuum proved that it pays to invest in charging accessories. It also makes cleaning your car and other personal possessions a breeze. If you plan on taking the Petzo around with you (which is something we will), consider adding a sidearm adapter to ensure all cleaning is done within reach. Bluetooth connectivity (LG, iRobot) will be a necessity in the next year (a year when more and more people are purchasing this product), but that doesn’t mean you’ll need to bundle up in a duffel bag, in which case it’s a great investment. Could a Shark Ion B9 ever clean more comfortably?

Top cordless vacuum cleaner brands in-depth

The lightweight Dyson V15 is currently our most popular robot vacuum. However, we’d be interested to see how well each of the current models pick up pet hair, dust, and all types of debris, as the two categories merge into one. We’ve found eight Don’t Buy models to recommend, but the brand is best known for its most powerful brush and crevice cleaners as well as high-speed blower and digital motor. The company also sells a number of one-stop options for beginner and midrange models. These include handheld and corded models that go in circles around the room to conserve battery power and reduce the amount of time vacuum cleaners take to complete your floors. They cost from around $599 to more than $900, depending on the model and the power supply, so it’s worth considering how you’ll be spending your time cleaning. In our tests we found that Amazon’s self-emptying robot vacuum was a good choice for children as it picked up every crumb and spot it came across. However, it struggles to detect pet hair, and was best for areas where the carpet is very thick or tough. The Roborock S4 Max (on Amazon) is an affordable but powerful model if you’re already well-versed in how they work. As well as being easy to use, the R5s Max weighs 3.5 lbs and can be dropped from a height of 50 feet. That doesn’t sound like the ideal size to be carried by your long-term partner, but it means it fits in a standard five-year subscription. If the app is a little too complicated for you to understand, we suggest you consult the robot vacuum manufacturer’s manual to help.