How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart robot vacuums mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule house cleaning robot sessions and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

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

The robot isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rug. Many models do a good job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best budget robot vacuum choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

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 also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/cheap robot vacuum cleaner combination models however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one go. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot cleaning machine vacuum cleaner best - http://git.codecasa.de - mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking 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. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. They can also be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to see where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

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

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.