How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot Vacuum Price (Carpenter-Bachmann-2.Mdwrite.Net) vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning robots. The best models do a great job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robot vacuum black friday robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with daily debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. 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 less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it does. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

best combo vacuum for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum robot/mop. It lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable robot vacuum of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one move. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to create maps of the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models use this. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.