The One Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Mistake That Every Beginner Makes

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self cleaning vacuum-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot 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 at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best Cheap robot vacuum choice. You can exchange an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums robot and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift 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 each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptied and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. 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 children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one go. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have 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 that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and most need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition being capable of working in dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot hoover to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.