How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot sweeper vacuum can save you a lot of time and [Redirect-302] hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since 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 a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, bridgejelly71%3E.hsn.Djuf.s.k.5.358.7.4.96.8.5@lishaflowers.ru room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one that scores high for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations 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 every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum reviews vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot vacuum cleaner Best Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the job in one move. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

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

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. 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 automated cleaning times for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require 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 furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

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

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This can be helpful for those with pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.