How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self vacuum near me-emptying bins.

best robot vacuums Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four automatic floor cleaner plans to be used in the future. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuum cleaner top 10 vacuum/mop combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

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

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one step. If you have floors that are mixed choose one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and robot Vacuum cleaner top 10 adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

When you need mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, 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 manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. This has 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.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.