How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb up stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot vacuum hoover capable of handling stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to remote control vacuum cleaner it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less efficient navigation system.

best budget robot vacuum 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. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best cheap robot vacuum option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the automatic floor cleaner (https://servergit.itb.edu.ec/musclesnow3) from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one step. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with 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 mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. They are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to create maps of the space. Our top model and the runners-up use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

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

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.