Alissa Loyau

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. And, 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 it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum cleaner review vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation 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 more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot vacuum cleaner for sale Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

best combo vacuum for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one sweep. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. They are also able to be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate an area where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advancements have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these devices, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. You should consider one that has a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up use this. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the Robot vacuum deals Black friday to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.