The Unspoken Secrets Of Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it stopped last which makes it easier to tackle larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum cleaner amazon vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum reviews vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

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 and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be set to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the best robot vacuum value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They do an excellent job of picking up crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one move. If you have floors that are mixed, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area that the automatic vacuum cleaners cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name suggests that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues that these devices have however. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination in order to know where they are going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to trace the area. Our top overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.