How to Choose The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner [Imoodle.Win]

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot hoover with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The app includes the 3D image of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

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

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of a more complete chore in one go. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner amazon vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

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 a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles 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 an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up use this. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot vacuum cleaner quiet to go, which can be useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.