How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum hoover vacuum cleaner best; by Bestattungsunion, vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models that have smart vacuum cleaner mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

best cheap robot vacuum Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has good pick-up power on 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 tried dozens of robotic vacuum cleaner amazon vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins 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 the stairs.

When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is a great choice for pet owners because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum cleaner on sale vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end 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 to complete a more complete chore in one pass. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging 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 over to remove light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and used again.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up an area where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through 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 you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to see where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. 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 believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.