You'll Never Be Able To Figure Out This Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best's Secrets

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker self-cleaning robot vacuums vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app includes the 3D image of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

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

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum cleaner best vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a good job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces and its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot vacuum cleaner quiet Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best price of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate 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 collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination in order to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot vacuum hoover to believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.