How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

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The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, best robot vacuum is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuum cleaner vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing steps.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app offers a 3D view of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

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

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a good job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner best buy vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one go. If you have floors that are mixed choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum won't 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 stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This has decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic floor scrubber snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. 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 see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up use this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

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

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't included on all of the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.