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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords. The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins. Best Overall The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely. Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs. When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to cover larger homes. This model is an excellent choice 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 with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options. This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system. Best for Carpet If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds. The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. 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 that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close 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 via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. self vacuum has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size. If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still manages to pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks. Ideal for Hard Floors Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning. The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one step. Look for one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting. If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling 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 dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and used again. Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models. Ideal for small Spaces Like the name suggests, these robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session. A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident. The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these devices, however. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light in order to know where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness. In addition to being capable of working in dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, though, as the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another room. Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.