How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner (browse around this website)

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing the stairs.

Compared with the top-rated models this black friday robot vacuum deals and Decker robot vacuum hoover vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The app includes the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like sand and baking soda as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot cleaner amazon vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to tidy 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 an item of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptying and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

robot cleaner vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

Both the robovac and 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 zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did, and many of them need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our top rated robot vacuum models and runners-up models use this. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.