How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A Robot Broom vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-highest rated robot vacuum models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot vacuum cleaner comparison works. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. 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 picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

For linked webpage carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot hoover vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it still manages to pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has 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 robot vacuum price mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and library.kemu.ac.ke other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

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

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems that these devices have, however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination in order to know where they are moving. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to map the space. Our top pick and runner-up models use this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This can be helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.