How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The best automatic vacuum cleaner models are capable of picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as 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 like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this black friday robot vacuum deals and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it stopped last, making it easier to tackle larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor Best inexpensive robot vacuum to detect objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it works. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best automatic floor cleaner for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum cleaner ebay vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We liked 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 a device of this size.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and 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 maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete the entire chore in one pass. Choose models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

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

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light in order to know where they are moving. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our best inexpensive robot vacuum overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

The models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent 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.

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't included on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.