How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll need a robot Vacuum cleaner price that has decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange the 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 detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum deals vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors 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 for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptying and boasts impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are great for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best buy robot vacuum two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed choose one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor P.O.Rcu.PineoYs.A@plumberia.ru texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot vacuum black friday mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be washed and P.O.Rcu.PineoYs.A@plumberia.ru dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older models faced, and many of them need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to trace the space. Our top pick and runner-up models have this feature. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

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

A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.