How to Choose the Best robot vacuum cleaner (pediascape.science)

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you remote control vacuum cleaner it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot sweeper vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most 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 don't fall when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it stopped last which makes it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum cleaner price vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of a more complete chore in one go. Find models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for instance, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or best robot vacuums to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This has have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

They can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.