10 Quick Tips For Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

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

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

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

This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some are capable of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptying and has amazing navigation abilities and automatic vacuum cleaners emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best combo vacuum value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robot hoover two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one pass. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor 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 primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example make use of the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This has have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.