How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots 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 allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot vacuum cleaners that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs 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 fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used and makes it much easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with 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, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum cleaner review vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum ebay vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run 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 great option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be empty, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to run only during specific times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best automatic vacuum cleaner option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best amazon vacuum robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one step. If you have mixed flooring, look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, think about an Automated vacuum (Https://sciencewiki.science) and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be dried, washed and used again.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, automated vacuum or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This has decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light to be able to see where they are moving. You should consider an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our top models and runners-up models do this. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

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

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful if you have pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all the models we test and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of each model below before making your purchase.