10 Quick Tips For Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. 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. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

best robot vacuum for large house Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing stairs.

In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also pause 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 includes the 3D image of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

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

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other budget robot vacuum vacuum/mop combinations however, it still picks up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

robot vacuum cleaner price vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one sweep. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

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

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name suggests the robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues that these devices have however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and most require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. 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 set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the automatic hoover robot to enter. This is helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.