How to Choose the Best robot vacuum cleaner review Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The most expensive robot vacuum expensive models can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

best value robot vacuum Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

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

In comparison 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 large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels and 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 even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a good job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and Automatic floor Cleaner a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic floor cleaner emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best robot vacuums for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one sweep. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination in order to see where they are moving. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

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

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.