Annie Coombes

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to House Cleaning Robot. The best models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top rated robot vacuum robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to remote control vacuum cleaner the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it stopped last which makes it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a good option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop and we loved its excellent navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

The best floor vacuum robot choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one go. Find models that have an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

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

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each automated cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot snag.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed 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 lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.