How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

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The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top robot vacuum cleaner-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is a great option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The app provides a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

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If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a decent job at cleaning up larlever mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

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

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one pass. If you have mixed flooring choose a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts 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 might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to create a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

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These robots are specifically 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 under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.

The new sensors don't solve all issues that these devices have, however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.