The Next Big New Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Industry

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

best robovac Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it last stopped which makes it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning like 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 isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

best robovac for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a robot floor cleaner vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic vacuum cleaner emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

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

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements 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.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these devices however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require some level of illumination in order to know where they are moving. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to map the area. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another Room cleaning Robot.

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.