How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it last stopped and makes it much easier to tackle larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled 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 see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four automatic floor cleaner plans for later use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best home vacuum cleaner choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum deals and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top rated robot vacuum picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one go. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, you should consider an Automated vacuum (http://109.195.52.92:3000/robotvacuummops3421/1478top-rated-robot-vacuum/wiki/what's-the-job-market-For-top-rated-robot-vacuum-Professionals-like?) and mop 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 help it avoid 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 using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. You should consider one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our top overall pick and runner-up models use this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't included on all of the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.