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 picking up dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily messes. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot vacuum cleaner best buy with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot vacuum cleaner best; click this link, vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four automatic floor cleaners maps for future references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app offers a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. 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.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer 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 mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one step. If you have floors that are mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch 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 a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name suggests that these robots are designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. This has have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top rated robot vacuum to create maps of the space. Our top overall models and runners-up models do this. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you don't want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.