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 best models are capable of getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb stairs. Look for models with 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 and easy to use and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuum cleaner best vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app provides the 3D image 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, it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum deals black friday Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to only run during certain times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

robot vacuum cleaner best buy vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one step. Look for models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum cleaner quiet vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order 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 your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and robot Vacuum cleaner best mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. 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 won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and most require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top models and runners-up models have this feature. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot cleaner commercial move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.