How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

cheap robot vacuum cleaner vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is a great option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot vacuum cleaner comparison vacuum cleaner best (go to this site) works. The app provides an interactive 3D model 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 excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of cleaning up larger 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.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a more 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 has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to run only during specific times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one step. If you have floors that are mixed choose one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, however 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 significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these machines however. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need a certain level of light to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the budget robot vacuum to go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.