How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

The most expensive models can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robot vacuum cleaner robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing steps.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also stop the Cleaning Robot Price process at any moment and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The included app provides 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, it is superior in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as he impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however, it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

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

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. If you have floors that are mixed choose models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting 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 get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these devices, however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need a certain level of light in order to see where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our best automatic floor cleaner overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot cleaner amazon to go, which can be useful if you have children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.