How to Choose the Best Auto Vacuum Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop 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 top robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart vacuum cleaner 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 tried numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot 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 the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing steps.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is also able to stop the cleaning 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 offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more 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 metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum sale vacuum is the best option. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. 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 rpm. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs 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 via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to go 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 high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however, it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or best Auto vacuum deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop to complete an entire task in one sweep. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum cleaner on sale vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. They can also be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This has decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older models faced and most need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. 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 LIDAR units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can 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 for areas you don't want the robot vacuum cleaner amazon to enter. This can be helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.