How to Choose the best rated robot vacuum Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and robot vacuum cleaner user-friendly, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models do a good job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and 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 and mop that lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. 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 an item of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be empty and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it still manages to pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums robot are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of a more complete chore in one pass. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust 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 consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum deals black friday vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure, rather than wipe them to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be washed, dried and used again.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and most require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. You should consider an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

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

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.