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

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The most expensive models can even mop your automatic floor cleaner however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a great option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the Robot Vacuum Cleaner best works. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to clean your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor robot. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best automatic floor cleaner for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have floors that are mixed, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. 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 to save your time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

As the name suggests the robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. These advancements reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to know where they are going. You should consider one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top pick and runner-up models have this feature. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.