How to Choose the Best robot vacuum cleaner (Get More Information)

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model 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 tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor robot plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app provides a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic 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 has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a good job of cleaning robot price up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other cheap robot vacuum vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop and we loved its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations, but it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are capable of picking up dust and Robot Vacuum Cleaner crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for Robot Vacuum Cleaner certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

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

A few years back robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean smart robot up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues that these devices have, however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination to be able to be able to see where they're moving. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only 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, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot vacuum price to believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.