How to Choose the best value robot vacuum Robot remote vacuum cleaner Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The most expensive models can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing stairs.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners, as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor vacuum robot plans to be used in the future. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The app provides a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects 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 less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum cleaner on sale vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop 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 carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it does pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one step. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. They are also able to be dried, washed and used again.

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 will not enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, Robot Vacuum cleaner Best vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advances decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these machines however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top models and runners-up models do this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

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

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot floor cleaner to visit. This is a great option for those with small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.