How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot automatic vacuum cleaners can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuum hoover (Read Fewpal) vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences 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 also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule house cleaning robot sessions and return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as 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 is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and robot vacuum hoover several do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in 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 that spin at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptying and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific times (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.

best robot vacuum for the money for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. 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 primarily comprised of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This has have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

They can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot vacuum cleaner best buy to enter. This is a great option if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.