How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has good automated cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it last stopped, making it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app includes a 3D view of your home with 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 fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

best automatic vacuum cleaner for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot broom (simply click the next web page) vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.

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 mop only and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to go 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 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 emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and [Redirect-302] dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic vacuum cleaner snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced and most need a certain amount of illumination 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 purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot floor cleaner to believe it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot go, which can be beneficial if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.