Who Is The World's Top Expert On Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent vacuum cleaner mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot vacuum cleaner quiet that can handle stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuum cleaner deals vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot cleaner vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have mixed flooring, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored 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

Like the name suggests the robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help 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 were required to clean up after a robot incident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these machines however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to trace the space. Our top overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested so make sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.