15 Things You Didn't Know About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor vacuum robot however they're not able to climb stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self vacuum near me-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for additional 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 many robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

In comparison with the top robot vacuum cleaner-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot works. The app provides the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a huge charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one step. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless robot vacuum or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain 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 aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advances decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did, and many of them need a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to map the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

They can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

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