Who Is The World s Top Expert On Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for 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 the everyday messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. 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.

Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a good option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-highest rated robot vacuum models but it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning 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 that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot cleaner commercial vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare and rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one move. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, 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 vacuum cleaner best buy mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. 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 also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

As the name suggests that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to see where they're moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

The models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.