How to Choose the Best Robot Remote vacuum cleaner Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you remote control vacuum cleaner the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app offers a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a intelligent vacuum cleaner that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood 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 picking up dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister automatic vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can use the app to set up an area that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate 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 disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light to see where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being able to work in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.