How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about an option that incorporates 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 dozens of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self cleaning vacuum-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a good job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via 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 with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one step. If you have mixed flooring you should look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic Vacuum Cleaner comparison vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. They can also be dried, washed and reused.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for example make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. 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 other models.

best auto vacuum for Small Spaces

As the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuum ebay vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them avoid household items that traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these machines however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top models and runners-up models do this. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and Robotic vacuum Cleaner comparison other obstacles while working in the dark.

In addition being capable of working in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor washing robot, not when they're above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.