How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.

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

Best Overall

The top robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

Compared with the top 10 robot vacuum cleaner-highest rated robot vacuum models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners, since it is able to avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see 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 is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they can't handle small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum cleaner Amazon - telegra.Ph - vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime 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 comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning robots for home.

The best robots are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one go. If you have mixed flooring you should look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove light dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried 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 make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

As the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot incident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these devices, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and most require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

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

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to go, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.