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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

The more expensive ones can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up the stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many 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 refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing steps.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner top 10 vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It 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 each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces and its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature 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 cleaner commercial Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the task in one step. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot vacuum cleaner review falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues with these devices, 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. Consider getting one that has a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to map the space. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot Vacuum cleaner best to believe it's in another room cleaning robot.

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 go to. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.