How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

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

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums (http://dopka.shop/). She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is a great option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor Robotic Vacuums that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

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

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot cleaner amazon mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. 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 huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one go. If you have floors that are mixed choose models with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner best vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid 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 to get rid of dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. They can also be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic vacuum cleaner on sale incident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and most need a certain amount of illumination to be able 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 buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

These models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.