How to Choose the best self cleaning robot vacuum Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb up the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum price vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few 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 as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as 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 its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor washing robot (maanation.com) from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep automated cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of the entire chore in one sweep. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

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

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

best affordable robot vacuum for Small Spaces

As the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they need a certain level of light to be able to know where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be programmed 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 shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.