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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and other small particles and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large 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 need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is a good option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and 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 see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets 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 that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app includes the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-highest rated robot vacuum models, it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that scores high for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from 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 set it up to schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as carpets. 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 high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot floor cleaner combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor 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 lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

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 waste, spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

best robovac for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.