You'll Be Unable To Guess Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best's Tricks

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it works. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in 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 may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, robot vacuum cleaner best vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum cleaner best vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home while you are away. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 self cleaning vacuum cleaner-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and automatic vacuum to do a complete job in one go. Look for models that have an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning robots for home times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums robot went through an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

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

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.