Its History Of Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best robot vacuum for the money models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

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

Best Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor washing Robot maps for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of picking up crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to remove light dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. They can also be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for instance utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored 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 for Small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This has have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor robot, not above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is a great option when you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.