How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

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The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device 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 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 that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one sweep. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

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These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these devices, however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light 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 space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the cheap robot vacuum to think it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.