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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 do a good job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

best buy robot vacuum Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model 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 for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a fan of the 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's also a big fan of the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.

best amazon vacuum for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to go 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 high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

best robot vacuum for large house for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the Best automatic floor cleaner option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one move. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. 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 flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging 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 get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. They are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning robots 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. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

The new sensors don't solve all issues with these devices however. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they need a certain level of light in order to know where they are going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This can be helpful when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all of the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.