How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and light debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, Best Automatic vacuum and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The Best Buy robot vacuum, https://iblog.iup.edu/, robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about a model that has 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 numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuum cleaner reviews vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it stopped last which makes it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot floor cleaner can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and 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 into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't have to take them off 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 good option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic floor cleaners emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They also lack 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 deep cleaning upholstery.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one sweep. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. They can also be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. 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, so you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot snag.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light in order to see where they are moving. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

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

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.