The One Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Mistake That Every Beginning Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best User Makes

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

self-cleaning robot vacuums vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

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

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it stopped last and makes it much easier to tackle larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot works. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum robot and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

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 tidy your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a more 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 without needing to be empty. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of a more complete chore in one go. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic remote vacuum cleaner that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.

The new sensors don't solve all issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.