How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords. The most expensive models can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins. Best Overall The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely. Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing steps. In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. In addition, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to cover larger areas. This model is a great option for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles. In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. auto vacuum cleaner is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options. Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive. The best for Carpet If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards. For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles. Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size. If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it does pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices. Best for Hard Flooring Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas. The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one move. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting. If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood. When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold. The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. 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 don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models. Ideal for small Spaces These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session. A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident. However, the new sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination to know where they are moving. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models do this. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark. In auto vacuum being capable of working in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room. Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is a great option for those with pets or small children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.
