How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self vacuum near me-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last and makes it much easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a good option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app includes the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like sand and baking soda as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few are capable of cleaning 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 could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best auto vacuum option. You can exchange the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. They can also be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advances reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all issues that these devices have, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want 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. Read our full reviews before deciding.