Test: How Much Do You Know About 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. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

robot vacuum cleaner best buy  clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot the last time it was used and makes it much easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. 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 detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

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 when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If  vacuum deals  looking for 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 run for several weeks without having to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one pass. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. 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 composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. They are also able to be dried, washed and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.

However,  auto vacuum  solved all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require a certain level of light in order to see where they are moving. Consider getting a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

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

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is helpful if you have pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.