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

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily messes. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it stopped last which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

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

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best inexpensive robot vacuum for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good robot vacuum maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up small particles like an upright or canister vacuum 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/mop. It allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to 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 schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to climb 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 high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no automatic floor vacuum. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to run only during specific hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it does 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 ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one go. Look for one that has 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 move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to create a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests, these robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This has decreased the amount 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 latest sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced and most need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot vacuum Cleaner Best go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.