How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing steps.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a great option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels and advanced automated 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 screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they can't handle small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum near me vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best cheap robot Vacuum (menwiki.men) value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one pass. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. 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 empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

best home vacuum cleaner for Small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices however. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and require some level of illumination to know where they are going. Look into an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to map the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.