The One Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Mistake That Every Newbie Makes

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The most expensive models can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot vacuum cleaner industrial capable of handling stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor robot maps for future reference. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app provides the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. 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 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot broom vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one pass. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. 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 a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name suggests that these robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot vacuum price to visit. This is a great option if you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.