How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner (Read Much more)

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up 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 mop your floor vacuum robot however they're not able to climb up stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to keep up with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, The Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to 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 for future references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot vacuum cleaner for sale works. The app includes a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

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

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot vacuum cleaner comparison combination models however, it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They do an excellent job of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for one with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot cleaner amazon mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to 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 help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot accident.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines however. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they're moving. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.