Seven Reasons To Explain Why Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Is Important

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

Compared 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 an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it does. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room cleaning robot labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

best robot vacuum black friday for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in 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 program it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rugs. 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, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptying and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one move. Find one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. 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 sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper 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 few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic vacuum cleaner sale snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have children or pets. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below before making your purchase.