The Secret Secrets Of Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The most expensive models can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

best amazon vacuum Overall

The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a cheap robot vacuum that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best robot vacuum for tile floors option. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best buy robot vacuum value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. Find models that have an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Best Amazon Vacuum for Small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these devices however. The most affordable robot vacuum models struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced and most require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to map the space. Our top overall pick and runner-up models do this. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

The models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.