How to Choose the best robovac Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot vacuum price that can take on stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you want a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Quiet with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four automatic floor cleaner plans for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

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

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces 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 Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one step. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advances reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

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

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This can be helpful if you have pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.