Why Is Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best So Popular

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

robot vacuum price vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is a good 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 can map rooms and see 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 to be used in the future for references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot cleaner isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one go. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of 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.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.