Tristan Vera

How to Choose the best robot vacuum for tile floors Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and other small particles and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also need a robot vacuum cleaner top 10 that can handle stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning Robots for home times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-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 able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it does. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room cleaning robot labels and advanced cleaning options.

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

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner for sale mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer 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 were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for 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 and not need to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be set to run only during specific times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one move. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot cleaner plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

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 over to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can use the app to create a zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has have 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 haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount illumination to see where they're going. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to trace the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.