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, light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuum cleaner vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most expensive robot vacuum convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, Back making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it can spot and avoid tangled hair 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 an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app provides the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in rehas a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy robot vacuum cleaner a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum hoover Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have mixed flooring choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner on sale vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over 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 mops can also be dried, washed and reused.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable 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 small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light in order to be able to see where they're going. You should consider a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top pick and runner-up models use this. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

They can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.