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 are good at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazards 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 want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best 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 spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent 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 comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Find models that have an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination 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. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. They can also be washed, dried and reused.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic floor vacuums - www.mecosys.com, snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues that these devices have, however. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to see where they are going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot floor cleaner to enter. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested so make sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.