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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top 5 robot vacuum models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop and we loved its excellent navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart robot mapping system, and can be programmed to run only during specific times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

best self cleaning vacuum for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. If you have mixed flooring you should look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to get rid of light dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed, dried and reused.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional 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 a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older models faced, and many of them need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.