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How to Choose The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner (Www.Reality-Check.Ca)

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 other small particles and allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. 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 reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it does. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like sand and baking soda as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner best buy vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptying and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable robot vacuum of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic 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, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. If you have mixed flooring, look for models with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor robot 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, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to get rid of light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to create a no-go zone where the vacuum bot can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. 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, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination to know where they are going. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up do this. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

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

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.