And if you suffer from allergies, these robot vacuums have high-efficiency filters to help eliminate allergens that are hanging in the air. Models like the iLife V3s Pro, the Roomba S9, and the Roborock S4 Max scored the best in our robot vacuum lab tests, picking up nearly all pet hair on both hardwood and carpeting. Thankfully, many manufacturers make robot vacuums that are suited for cleaning up after pets. Robot vacuums like the iRobot Roomba i3 are 3.6 inches tall and likely can’t fit under a couch, At just under 2.85 inches tall, the Eufy Robovac G30, for example, has an easier time navigating through tight spaces.
You'll also want to figure out how much room you have under the furniture for the robot vacuum to pass through. Your pick will mainly depend on the size of your dwelling. Some robot vacuums, like the iLife V3s Pro, work better in small environments like apartments and townhomes, while models like the Roborock S4 Max are better-suited for spaces of up to 2,000 square feet with multiple rooms and multiple floors. Robot vacuum buying guide: How big is your house?įirst things first: Consider how big your house is before you start browsing the Amazon aisles. If you're concerned about allergies or dust, you can also find models that empty the on-board dustbin into a larger bin in the base - minimizing your exposure to dust.
Many robot vacuums can be scheduled to run as often as multiple times a day, and some app-enabled robots allow you to watch their progress as they clean. They’re also great for roommates as it means there’s one less chore to split up. They're suited for office spaces, too, because the last thing you want to worry about when you're on deadline is why the floor is covered in sprinkles. Robot vacuums are great for daily tidying- picking up stray crumbs, cat litter, hair of all types, dust bunnies and everything else that finds its way onto your floors. Though robot vacuum technology has advanced a lot recently, you’ll probably still want to keep a traditional vacuum cleaner around for deep cleaning. A robot vacuum keeps things relatively clean and saves you the hassle of hauling out the heavy canister vacuum every time a bowl of peanuts falls on the floor. This is the future, and we have robots doing it all: Cars that drive themselves, drones that navigate the sky and robot vacuums that find their way around furniture. IRobot Roomba i3+ (Image credit: Future/Meghan McDonough) Some collect dust and debris more effectively than pet hair, while others might work better on hard floors rather than carpet. Whereas, some medium and high-end models use lasers and optical sensors to guide them. If you invest in a lower-end robot vacuum, it will likely move sporadically and bounce off walls and obstructions in the process. Robot vacuums use varying methods of navigation.These can also help with mapping out your home and creating no-go zones. Apps are useful for monitoring your robot vacuum and scheduling cleaning sessions. Do you want an app with that? Some robot vacuums can be connected with dedicated apps.Cheaper models are available for around $200, but be prepared to lose some of the premium features, such as WiFi connectivity or the self-emptying dustbin. As mentioned earlier, robot vacuums with the latest features can cost over $1,000.
If you have carpet, how thick is it? Think about pets as well - will the robot vacuum have to pick up kitty litter or thick fur? These are all important aspects to consider before you start shopping for a robot vacuum.
Consider whether you mostly have hard floors or carpet.