Unexpected Business Strategies That Helped Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best S…

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best floor vacuum robot robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app includes the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as efficient in cleaning robots as our top models, but it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one go. Find one that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

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

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

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need a certain level of light to know where they are going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses a top robot vacuum cleaner-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, 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 able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.