20 Things Only The Most Devoted Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Fans Should …

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about 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 acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing steps.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best automatic floor cleaner option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner comparison vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via 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 and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete a more complete chore in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic 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 can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores 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 suited for small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuum cleaner reviews vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're moving. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to map the space. Our top overall models and runners-up models do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.