The Secret Life Of Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot 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 at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuum cleaner ebay vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. 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 caught when climbing 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 dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it does. The app offers a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some are capable of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best buy robot vacuum value of our top picks.

best rated robot vacuum for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to create an area 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, which collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, 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 underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. You should consider one that has a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all of the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.