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Your carpets will thank us later.
Photo:Real Simple
Whileupright vacuumsare usually the most powerful, sometimes youre just not in the mood for a full-body workout.
If youd rather let the vacuum do the dirty work, consider a robotic option.
Our top picks were not only effective at picking up debris but also maneuverable and easy to set up.
PHOTO: Amazon
Stick around for our three faves, including self-emptying and pet-friendly options.
Its the most expensive model on our list.
During testing, we were amazed by how effective and easy to use it was.
We dropped rice on the floor to test the vacuum’s suction, and it picked it right up.PHOTO: Real Simple
Six months later, its no longer just a new addition to our cleaning routineits become a staple.
Plus, its low profile lets it navigate seamlessly beneath couches and chairs.
Forpet owners, this robot vacuum is a game-changer.
After just two passes, we couldn’t believe how much dirt it collected.
And while its not self-emptying, we were still impressed by how easy the cleaning process was.
With just the click of a button, dirt fell right out.
It lacks smart mapping and doesnt have an accompanying app.
We were especially impressed by how well it lifted long hair, leaving the floor spotless after every sweep.
After six months of useincluding a period of dog-sittingwe dont know what wed do without it.
With a 100-minute battery life, this model has the longest runtime on our list.
And the best part?
Its no-frills design makes it easy to set up.
We had it ready to roll (no pun intended) in just two minutes.
Given its low price, this vacuum lacks the bells and whistles of more advanced models on our list.
However, it does come with obstacle-detection sensors and lets you schedule cleanings in advance.
During testing, it maneuvered seamlessly without getting stuck on furniture legs or other objects.
It encountered some difficulty with wires, though, so we suggest moving those before use.
It seems to struggle and become confused in spot mode.
While the self-emptying is a bit loud, we think its a small tradeoff for the convenience.
Aside from that, we actually consider this the quietest model on our list.
Thanks to its NeverStuck Technology, it easily maneuvers both over and around obstacles.
During testing, it glided around dining chairs without missing a beat.
It also has a targeted spot mode, though the vacuum seemed a bit disoriented in this setting.
In fact, we found it almosttoothorough at times.
It takes a long time to finish cleaning and seems to go over the same spots several times.
During this, we also considered how clear (or confusing) the instructions were.
For models without object avoidance, we cleared the space of obstacles and let them run on their own.
When applicable, we also tested spot-clean capabilities, mopping functions, scheduling, and voice commands.
After each cleaning session, we emptied the dustbin, checking how easy the process was.
We also listened to how loud it was while operating and emptying.
PHOTO: Amazon
To put together this list, we evaluated each vacuums value based on its price and performance.
That said,deep pile and plush carpetingcan sometimes be a challenge for any robot vacuum.
In addition to the pop in of carpet, also consider your homes layout.
Uneven carpets are no match for the ILife V3s Robot Vacuum, which climbs until it’s successful.PHOTO: Real Simple
By doing this, they can maneuver in a more methodical way rather than just randomly roaming around.
Both theDyson 360 Vis Navand theShark Detect Pro Robot Vacuumhave smart mapping.
Strong suction is also useful, especially forpet ownersor those with higher pile rugs.
PHOTO: Amazon
It cleaned every type of debris in one or two passes.PHOTO: Real Simple
Real Simple
Emptying the fur and hair from the Dyson 360 Robot Vacuum is simple to do—just press a button.Real Simple
