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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and other small particles, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

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

Best Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing steps.

When compared with the top-rated models this black friday robot vacuum deals and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models do a good robot vacuum job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum cleaner on sale vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptied and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to run only during specific times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the Best Robot Vacuum For Vinyl Plank Floors value among our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one move. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic hoovers mop and automated vacuum cleaner combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these devices, however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. You should consider an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

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

Some of the models that we recommend 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 small children. Those features aren't available on all the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.