How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a buy robot vacuum cleaner with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer 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 enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is a great option for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum cleaner vacuum (from www.socialunion.us) that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 self vacuum near me-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robot vacuum under 200 two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of a more complete chore in one go. Find models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. 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 other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

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

These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is a great option for those with pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of each model below before making your purchase.