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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 of removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.
The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.
Best Overall
The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart 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 tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.
This black friday robot vacuum deals and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.
In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an 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 with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot works. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.
Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.
Best for Carpet
If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum cleaner amazon vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.
The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean smart robot and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other buy robot vacuum cleaner vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.
Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.
If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. 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 mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.
best automatic vacuum cleaner for Hard Flooring
Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.
The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one pass. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.
If your home is composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.
When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.
The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to create a zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.
Ideal for small Spaces
These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.
A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances reduced the number of times 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 aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light to be able to see where they are going. Consider getting a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to map the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models use this. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.
The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.
Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.