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

How to Choose the Best Robot vac Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles and allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robot vacuum robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart vacuum cleaner mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

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

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot cleaner vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs and its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime 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 fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has a smart mapping system that can be set to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are great for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the job in one step. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robotic vacuum cleaner on sale mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable 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 mop pads can also be dried, washed, and used again.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions 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 don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This has reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones did and most require a certain amount illumination to be able see where they're headed. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to map the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot vacuum reviews to go to. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested and recommend that you read our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.