How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught 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. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum reviews vacuum that scores high for carpet and Room Cleaning Robot rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of Cleaning Robots for home up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning 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 spinning at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum black friday vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and carpets. 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 model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still picks up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combo 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. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot vacuum cleaner black friday falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuum cleaner deals vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot snag.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, Best Home Vacuum Cleaner in addition, they require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another 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 automatic hoover robot go, which can be useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.