How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

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

best floor vacuum robot Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing stairs.

When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best robot vacuum under 200 choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum cleaner reviews vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptying and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

robot vacuum deals cleaner best self cleaning robot vacuum; go here, vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. 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 your time. The mops can also be dried, washed and reused.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

In addition being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.