How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

cheap robot vacuum cleaner vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to remote control vacuum cleaner it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

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

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptying and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations, but it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one go. If you have mixed flooring, look for models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot vacuum cleaner black friday mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and robot Vacuum cleaner best other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms, or plan specific cleaning robots times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues that these devices have however. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light in order to see where they are going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

These models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.