How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and 1borsa.com large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing steps.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of 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 with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four automatic floor vacuum maps for future references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot vacuum cleaner best works. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty amazon robot vacuum Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and best Automatic Vacuum children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are great in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best auto vacuum two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one go. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. 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 mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging 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 to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. Look into an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the area. Our best cheap robot vacuum overall pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

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

Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot go, which can be useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.