20 Things Only The Most Devoted Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Fans Understand

How to Choose the best Robot vacuum cleaner (https://muse.union.edu/)

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart robot mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is a great option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device 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 huge charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be empty and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart vacuum mapping system that can be set to only run during certain times (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other amazon robot vacuum vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are excellent at of picking up 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 areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one go. If you have mixed flooring, look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. They are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. 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, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved 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 see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.