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

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot Vacuum cleaner best with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for 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.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found 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 stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

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

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

best robot vacuum under 200 for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best robot vacuum for large house robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example make use of the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto vacuum-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean smart robot up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light in order to know where they are moving. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to trace the area. Our top 5 robot vacuum pick and runner-up models do this. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

The models can also 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 still recommended to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot go, which can be beneficial 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.