How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum cleaner Best Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up 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 have tested are effective and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums robot. She's a big 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 loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app offers the 3D image of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot remote vacuum cleaner is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot automatic vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

Another solid option 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 also be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of an entire task in one go. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and used again.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and most 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 with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our best robot vacuums overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot vacuum cleaner review to enter. This is helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.