The People Closest To Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Tell You Some Big Secrets

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self vacuum near me-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart robot vacuums mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to climb over and up onto 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 advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Buy Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best robot vacuum under 200 choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one step. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate an area where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times 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 you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all issues that these devices have, however. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to know where they are going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all of the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.