How to Choose the Best Robot automated vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot Vacuum cleaner Best remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuum cleaner best vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pastand pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still picks hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

best robot floor cleaner for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of a more complete chore in one sweep. If you have floors that are mixed, look for a model 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 move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to remove light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

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

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you will need 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 them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones did and most require a certain amount illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit 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.

These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.