You'll Never Guess This Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best's Tricks

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing steps.

When compared to the top robot vacuum-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it stopped last which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at 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 empty. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of a more complete chore in one pass. Find one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robot Vacuum Cleaner best; 111.8.36.180, mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. They can also be dried, washed and used again.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need some level of illumination to know where they are going. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

They can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you don't want the robot vacuum cleaner price to move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.