Why Is Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best So Famous?

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

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

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. 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 shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like ones 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 don't fall when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

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

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good robot vacuum at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very 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 to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device 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 huge charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

robot vacuum cleaner price vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are great for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have mixed flooring, look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and used again.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone that the vacuum deals won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This has decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top model and the runners-up do this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

The models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by 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 also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we test and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.