How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-highest rated robot vacuum models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it stopped last and makes it much easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app offers the 3D image of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider 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 has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are best inexpensive robot vacuum (please click the up coming article) for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove light dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto vacuum cleaner-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination to be able to know where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to review our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.