How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner (click4r.com)

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The most expensive models can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Find models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic 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 refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and best Robot vacuum cleaner Decker has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app offers a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

best robot vacuums for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum cleaner amazon automatic vacuum cleaner that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other automatic hoover robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one move. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them 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 in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best robot floor cleaner designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This has decreased the amount of times 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 latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and most need a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.