How to Choose the best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors (just click for source) Robot automated vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning robot price. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

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

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to tackle larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, 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. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and Best Robot Vacuum For Vinyl Plank Floors mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum deals to do a complete job in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling 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 clean to remove light dirt and dust. 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 washed, dried and used again.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to create an area where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power 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 issues that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit 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.

These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot go, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.