How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top robot vacuum-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. In addition, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the place the last time it was used and makes it much easier to tackle larger homes. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for Robot vacuum Cleaner best a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum cleaner best vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop and we loved its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for Robot Vacuum cleaner best such a small device.

If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are best automatic vacuum for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are great for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Find one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like 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 light dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. They are also able to be dried, washed and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones that the remote 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 puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

As the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. These advancements have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount light to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

In addition being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below before making your purchase.