How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has good ability to pick up 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 control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuum cleaner best (https://digitaltibetan.win/wiki/Post:14_Clever_Ways_To_Spend_Extra_Money_Best_Affordable_Robot_Vacuum_Budget) vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and robot vacuum cleaner best furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor washing robot plans for later use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The app offers the 3D image of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best in removing small particles like baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

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 your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best robot hoover value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one pass. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor robot texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as 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 over to remove light dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. 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, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic hoovers accident.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination in order to be able to see where they're moving. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.