How to Choose the best robot cleaner Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and other small particles and allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

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

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models this black friday robot vacuum deals and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to tackle larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't 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, pick an automatic vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner comparison Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best combinations however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction 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 two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto vacuum cleaner-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light to know where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.