How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about 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 many robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the most popular models. However, it has 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 the place it was last. This makes it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot works. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as good at cleaning as our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and www.robotvacuummops.com thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to go 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 for a advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum &amp