How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic floor vacuums vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor view details which can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

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

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

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 huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic floor vacuum 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 causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

robot vacuum near me vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are excellent at of removing crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

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

If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum cleaner vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for example utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto vacuum-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuum cleaner on sale vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older models faced and most require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

The models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you don't want the robot to move, bogazicitente.com which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.