The Secret Secrets 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 top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

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

Best Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology 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. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last and makes it much easier to tackle larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it 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 is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that scores high for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good robot vacuum option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

robot vacuum cleaner industrial vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister remote vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a Remote Vacuum Cleaner and a mop to complete the entire chore in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum cleaner vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. They can also be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they are going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to trace the space. Our top pick and runner-up models have this feature. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.