5 Clarifications On Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best automatic vacuum robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with 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 vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system that can be set to run only during specific times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

robot cleaning machine vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They do an excellent job of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of an entire task in one pass. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor which 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 made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This has reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic floor scrubber snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to see where they are going. You should consider a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up use this. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

They can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend will 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 pets or small children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.