You'll Never Guess This Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best's Tricks

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The most expensive models can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self vacuum-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

The Black and Decker model 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 a long battery. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot the last time it was used which makes it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen 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 using a structured-light sensor that can identify 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 stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app provides the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you want a more advanced model, look into 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 features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top 5 robot vacuum picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have mixed flooring you should look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard 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 has a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner sale vacuum equipped with intelligent vacuum cleaner navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. They can also be dried, washed, and reused.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for instance, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic floor vacuums vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these machines, however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light to be able to see where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.

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