How to Choose the Best self-cleaning robot vacuums Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart vacuum mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have mixed flooring, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these machines however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top 5 robot vacuum; Suggested Webpage,-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best vacuums overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

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

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.