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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self cleaning vacuum-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with daily debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart vacuum cleaner mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill 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 get tripped up when climbing steps.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can 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 can also pause the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

best self cleaning robot vacuum - additional reading - for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robotic vacuum cleaner best vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a huge charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it does pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one go. Choose models that have an onboard sensor to detect 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 mostly composed of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum cleaner vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. They are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

The models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.