How to Choose the best roborock vacuum Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. 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 the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has good cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing steps.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because 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 rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as 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 use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as good 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. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum Cleaner best vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both rug and floor vacuum robot surfaces as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item 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 has a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one go. Find models that have an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust 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 your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner commercial vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they need a certain level of light to be able to see where they're moving. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.