How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum robot can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill 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 get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker 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 regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app provides the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner ebay vacuum and mop that lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on bare floors as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot broom Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best inexpensive robot vacuum for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for one with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don'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 can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, robot vacuum cleaner cheap however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back Robot Vacuum Cleaner Cheap vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced, and many of them need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't included on all of the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.