You'll Never Be Able To Figure Out This Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best's Tr…

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning robots for home. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and light debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The most expensive models can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger spaces. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops 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 the cleaning process at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting closer 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 using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however, it still picks hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum bot and a mop, taking care of a more complete chore in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor vacuum robot's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. They are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic vacuum cleaner on sale incident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these devices, however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination to see where they are moving. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the Robot Vacuum cleaner best believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is a great option if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.