Test: How Much Do You Know About Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up stairs. Find models with smart vacuum mapping, real-time safety features, 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 capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and 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 with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it does. The app includes the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets 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 using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot cleaning machine Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also has 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 chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's 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 the floor's surface. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top 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, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for robot Vacuum deals black friday one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

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 light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum robot can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot vacuum deals black friday accident.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light in order to be able to see where they're moving. Look into one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to map the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.