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

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job at removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with 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 several robotic vacuum cleaner deals vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot automatic vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped which makes it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app provides a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models do a decent job of picking up 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. 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.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its excellent navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot vacuum cleaner Best Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the best smart vacuum value of our top choices.

The best self cleaning robot vacuum choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one step. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. They are also able to be dried, washed and used again.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot snag.

The new sensors don't solve 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 be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, 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 while working in the dark.

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

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot vacuum cleaner sale to enter. This is a great option for those with small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.