How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Full Article tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. And, 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, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot works. The app provides the 3D image of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as carpets. 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 & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It 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 through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one go. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and used again.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.


Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these devices however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need a certain level of light to see where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

They can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and 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 can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.