How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner [http://eric1819.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=1285080]

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for The best robot vacuum cleaner models that have smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences like those that have self vacuum near me-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing the stairs.

When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot the last time it was used and makes it much easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes 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, the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be empty, and it has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.

The best amazon vacuum choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one go. If you have mixed flooring choose a model with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and used again.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't 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 stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each automated cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

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

They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.