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

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

robot sweeper vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as those with 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 to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best value robot vacuum-rated models. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

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

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner comparison vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

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

If you're looking for 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 and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one sweep. Choose models that have an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and 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.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advancements reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these devices, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount illumination to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. 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 another room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.