10 Quick Tips To Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model 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 tested many robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app includes the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

robot vacuum cleaners vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one sweep. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum cleaner vacuum (enquiry) and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner deals vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This has reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the 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 unit mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models do this. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

In addition to being able to work in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have pets or children. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.