The People Closest To Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Share Some Big Secrets

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The most expensive models can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, 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 stop and restart cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs 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 using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a more 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 and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models, but it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

best roborock vacuum for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete a more complete chore in one sweep. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot broom 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 with downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be dried, washed, and used again.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal 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 as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic 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 that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors don't solve all issues with these devices however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones did, and many of them need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. Consider getting one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models use this. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot vacuum deals think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.