How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner<br /><br />A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.<br /><br />The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.<br /><br />Best Overall<br /><br />The best robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.<br /><br />Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing stairs.<br /><br />Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.<br /><br />In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.<br /><br />The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.<br /><br />The best for Carpet<br /><br />If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.<br /><br />The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.<br /><br />Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.<br /><br />If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum &amp; Mop is a fantastic alternative. <a href="https://www.robotvacuummops.com/">click here to read</a> has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.<br /><br />Best for Hard Flooring<br /><br /><br /><br />Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.<br /><br />The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one go. If you have floors that are mixed choose a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.<br /><br />If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.<br /><br />When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. They can also be dried, washed and used again.<br /><br />Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms and 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 you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.<br /><br />Best for Small Spaces<br /><br />As the name implies, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.<br /><br />A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.<br /><br />The new sensors don't solve all the problems that these devices have however. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require an adequate amount of light in order to know where they are going. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.<br /><br />In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.<br /><br />Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.<br /><br />