20 Reasons To Believe Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Will Never Be Forgotten

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors–though they still can’t climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we’ve tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You’ll also want a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you’re looking for a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She’s a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won’t get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and 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 use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it works. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn’t as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it can’t mop and has a less effective navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can’t handle fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. You don’t need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you’re away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you’re looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be programmed to only run during certain times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn’t as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It’s also the most affordable price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor’s surface. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they’re not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one go. Find models that have an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor’s texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. They can also be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don’t need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can’t reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you’ll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven’t resolved all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need some level of illumination in order to see where they are moving. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It’s important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it’s in another room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you don’t want the robot to go, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren’t present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.