You'll Never Guess This Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best's Secrets

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuum deals vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing steps.

The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot the last time it was used, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it can spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some are capable of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum sale automated vacuum cleaner/mop, which lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider 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 cleaned. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger 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 rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one pass. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot vac mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for instance make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. 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 don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot incident.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require a certain level of light in order to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.