How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

robot Vacuum Cleaner best vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app comes with a 3D representation 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 removing fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vaand hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have mixed flooring choose a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a automatic hoover robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and used again.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name suggests that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot sweeper vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot accident.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light in order to be able to see where they're moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space as our top robot vacuum cleaner overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

The models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different 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 go to. This is a great option when you have pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.