The People Closest To Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Tell You Some Big Secrets

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best buy robot vacuum models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

best automatic floor cleaner Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic floor vacuums vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used which makes it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The app provides a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as 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 like baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs and its ability to go over and up onto 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 charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptied and has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to know where they are moving. Look into an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

In addition being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot floor cleaner think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.