The People Who Are Closest To Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Have Big Secrets To Share

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of numerous buy robot vacuum cleaner vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it stopped last which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app offers a 3D view of your home, with room labels and advanced house cleaning robot options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum cleaner top 10 vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as 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 top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptying and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it still picks up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

robot vacuum cleaner best vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are great for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one move. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo 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 can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and reused.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advances reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic vacuum cleaner best snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top overall models and runners-up models do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

The models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.