How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

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

Best Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

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

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

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

The robot isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor robot from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another good 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 only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot vacuum cleaner best (forums.overclockers.com.au) combination models however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

robot vacuum cleaner review vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent vacuum cleaner navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

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

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these machines, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced, and many of them need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

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

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.