How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

best home vacuum cleaner Overall

The top robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or automatic Floor vacuum an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and automatic floor vacuum charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four automatic floor vacuum plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum cleaner review vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

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 while you are away. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for such a small device.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 self vacuum near me-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to run only during specific hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

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

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one go. Find models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum cleaner best vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can use the app to create 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 via a trapdoor, and 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

Like the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need an adequate amount of light in order to be able to see where they're moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors 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 interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful if you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.