How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords. The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins. Best Overall The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely. Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing steps. The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles. In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options. While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive. Best for Carpet If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds. For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a damp 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 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and avoiding obstacles. Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size. If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific times (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks. Ideal for Hard Floors Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas. The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one go. If best vacuums robotvacuummops have floors that are mixed, look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting. If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs. When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. They are also able to be dried, washed and reused. The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models. Ideal for small Spaces These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the 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. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident. However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount illumination to be able see where they're headed. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to trace the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark. The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space. Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.
