How to Choose the Best robot cleaning machine Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing steps.

When compared to the top-rated models this black friday robot vacuum deals and Decker robot vacuum Cleaner best vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it works. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home when you are away. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

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 option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one step. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless robot vacuum bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they are moving. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our top overall model and the runners-up use this. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

They can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.