Are Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best The Most Effective Thing That Ever Was?

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates 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 many 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 refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum deals that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home when you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one sweep. If you have mixed flooring choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent vacuum cleaner navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. They are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. 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 pet waste.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, but 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 can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot vacuum cleaner top 10 to go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.