How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big 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.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor robot maps to be used in the future for reference. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app provides the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning robots for home options.

The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro 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 efficient navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic Vacuum (Classifieds.ocala-news.com) that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be empty, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be dried, washed, and used again.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these devices, however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up do this. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

The models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room cleaning robot.

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.