How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Choose models that have smart vacuum cleaner mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates 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 numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill 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 to ensure they don't trip when climbing the stairs.

When compared with 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 ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.

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

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic hoover robot (https://vuf.minagricultura.gov.co/Lists/Informacin Servicios Web/DispForm.aspx?ID=9986235) vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to run only during specific times (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors choice for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are excellent at of picking up crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

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

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain 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 with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues that these devices have however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to know where they are moving. You should consider a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to map the area. Our top model and the runners-up have this feature. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that might hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and Automatic Hoover robot cause the robot to think it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the cheap robot vacuum to go, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.