How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums robot will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of affordable robot vacuum vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing steps.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it stopped last which makes it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because 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 that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app comes with the 3D image 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 but it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum cleaner best vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptied, and it has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best price of our top picks.

best automatic vacuum cleaner for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent for removing 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, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed choose a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed and used again.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

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

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these devices however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need a certain level of light to be able to see where they're moving. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to trace the space. Our top overall models and runners-up models do this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

They 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 is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, since 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 let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.