How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner (Hardwareforums official)

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best automatic vacuum ones are adept at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot with 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 tested many robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker remote vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

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

This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied and has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations, but it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

The best affordable robot vacuum choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum cleaner vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried 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, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuum cleaner sale vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This has decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they need some level of illumination in order to see where they are moving. Consider getting a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.