20 Things That Only The Most Devoted Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Fans Know

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-highest rated robot vacuum models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.

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 carpets and rug. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to run only during specific times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and automated vacuum cleaner and take care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have floors that are mixed, look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic vacuum cleaner on sale mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

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

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less most Expensive robot vacuum than more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional 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 robot incident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top overall models and runners-up models use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.