How to Choose the Best robot Vacuum Cleaner best Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient and 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 want a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it was last. This makes 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 found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in pickinuseful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top rated robot vacuum choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean smart robot hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be dried, washed, and reused.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot cleaning machine vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination to be able to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top model and the runners-up use this. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

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