How to Choose the best robot vacuum cleaner (Read Much more)

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. top 5 robot vacuum performers are good at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys 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 has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to cover larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to 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 washing robot plans to be used in the future. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

While this automatic hoover robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior 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 cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system that can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best self cleaning vacuum value among our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister automatic vacuum cleaner, meaning they're not an 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 and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This has reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination to see where they are going. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up use this. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

These models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that might hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could 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 zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.