How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The most expensive models can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. https://lyhnevick16.livejournal.com/profile 's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app offers the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

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

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.

https://lindegaard-bradshaw.mdwrite.net/14-questions-youre-afraid-to-ask-about-robotic-vacuum-cleaner-1734948797 is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. https://senserecord71.bravejournal.net/robot-vacuum-cleaner-sale-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.



The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed choose one with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads 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 stop the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled by 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 or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would 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 store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these machines, however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to know where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, since 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 allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is a great option if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.