How to Choose the best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors robot vacuum cleaner Best Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

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

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a good option for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot vacuum cleaner review is working. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris such as 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 impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright 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 choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. 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 bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one step. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot vacuum cleaner top 10 mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner amazon vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older models faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the budget robot vacuum to think it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.