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How to Choose the Best Combo Vacuum Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb 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 tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. 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 observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app provides the 3D image of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum hoover vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum sale vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

cheap robot vacuum cleaner vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one go. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove light dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

best self cleaning vacuum for Small Spaces

As the name implies that these robots are to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light to know where they are going. You should consider an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our best inexpensive robot vacuum overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

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 close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested, so be sure to read our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.