How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles and allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self vacuum near me-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the best-highest rated robot vacuum models. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and robot vacuum sale then return to the spot where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This robot vacuum sale (view Championsleage) is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sandation abilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and robot vacuum sale can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

best robot vacuum deals for Hard Flooring

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 capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as 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 get rid of light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. They are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.

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 set up an area where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best robot cleaner to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount illumination 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 top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the cheap robot vacuum to think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend 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 pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.