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You'll Be Unable To Guess Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best's Secrets
How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

robot floor cleaner Robot Vacuum Mops can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates 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's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

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

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for months without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both 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 useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring


Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister 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, taking care of the entire chore in one go. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for example, use 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 is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. 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.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot go, which is 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.

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