How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuum cleaner deals vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-highest rated robot vacuum models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum bot is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

robot broom [click through the next internet site] vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum, taking care of a more complete chore in one go. If you have floors that are mixed choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's 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 your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance make use of the app to create no-go zones where the remote vacuum cleaner cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems that these devices have, however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination to know where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot cleaning machine believe it's in a different room.

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