How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

best value robot vacuum Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot automatic vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning robots for home (click the following website) times and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, 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 able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it works. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vac vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well 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, and cleaning robots for home we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great 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 great option. It has a huge charging dock that can go months without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart 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 breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be dried, washed and used again.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines however. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to see where they are going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

These models can also be programmed to 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 cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.