How to Choose the Best robot vacuum cleaner best Vacuum Cleaner

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

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It comes with a huge non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger spaces. This model is a great option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to 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 for future reference. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum black friday vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well 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 carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop 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 Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister automatic vacuum cleaner, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one go. Find models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot hoover mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless robot vacuum or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these machines however. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination in order to see where they are going. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our best overall models and runners-up models do this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

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

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