How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have smart vacuum cleaner mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should 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 tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of cleaning up larger 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 can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum cleaner best (Related Web Page) vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

best home vacuum cleaner for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best vacuums choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one sweep. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent 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 wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be washed, dried and reused.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all issues with these devices, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and most require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our best cheap robot vacuum overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

They can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot cleaner amazon to think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is a great option for those with pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.