How to Choose the best Robot vacuum cleaner (posteezy.com)

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuum cleaner comparison vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to cover larger homes. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, 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 small particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner has a less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum cleaner on sale vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has impressive navigation and auto vacuum cleaner-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one pass. If you have flooring that is mixed choose one 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 you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner comparison vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can 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 breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you 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. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. 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 that 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 garbage, and are more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.