How to Choose the best automatic floor cleaner Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums robot can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with 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. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing the stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum cleaner sale vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot works. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its 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 with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum cleaner top 10 vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare and rug. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for a device 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 comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however, it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best buy robot vacuum value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, robot vacuum cleaner top 10 but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister automatic vacuum cleaner, so they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one step. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and reused.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination in order to see where they are going. You should consider one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.