How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self vacuum near me-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb 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 dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

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

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

best robot cleaner for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

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 tidy your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self Vacuum (Campleach24.livejournal.com)-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one move. Choose models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. They are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. 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 need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advances have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to see where they are moving. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top robot vacuum pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is a great option for those with pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.