How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum cleaner cheap vacuum will help you save time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robot vacuum for tile floors robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. 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 cover larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to 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 metal screws. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot hoover vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on bare floors and rug. 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 model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation capabilities 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 the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one pass. Find one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and used again.

Both the robovac and the 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 an area that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. 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 latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to see where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not 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, which makes the robot vacuum cleaner quiet think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot vacuum cleaner best - My Web Page, to go to. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.