Choosing between a robot vacuum and a stick vacuum depends on which one you will use regularly. A good robot vacuum can change how you clean your home. You just need to know what to look for.

Some key features of robot vacuums include automatic emptying, mopping, and smart mapping. These features can be found at any price point. The question is which features will give you the best cleaning experience.

I have been testing robot vacuums since 2019 and have tried over 40 different models. I have created a buying guide to help you choose the best robot vacuum for your needs.

Most robot vacuum brands measure suction power in pascals. However, some brands like iRobot and Shark compare their suction power to other models in their lineup.

The most powerful robot vacuums have between 35,000 and 36,000 pascals of suction power. For homes with carpet or pets, aim for the highest suction power possible.

The brush roll setup is also important for cleaning carpet. A dual brush roll system is best for picking up pet hair.

The most effective rollers use a combination of materials like bristles and rubber fins to dig deep into carpet fibers.

Some robot vacuums have a dedicated edge sweeping brush that can push debris out from tight spots.

Avoid robot vacuums with suction power below 10,000 pascals. This can lead to debris being scattered instead of sucked up.

A self-emptying robot vacuum automatically empties its debris into the dock. This means you don't have to empty the dustbin by hand.

Most robot vacuums are self-emptying, even at the budget-friendly level. There's no need to spend time thinking about whether automatic emptying is worth it.

Most robot vacuums can mop, even at the lower end of the price spectrum. However, the best robot vacuum and mop combos have advanced strategies and scrubbing intensity.

There are three main mopping pad designs: regular flat, dual spinning, and roller mop. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

The Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal 2-in-1 and the Roborock Saros 20 Sonic are two exceptions to the basic flat mopping pad design.

Dual spinning mopping pads are the optimal design for edge mopping. They create more physical agitation on dried stains.

Roller mop robot vacuums use a paint roller-style pad that spans the diameter of the vacuum. They are elite for soaking up liquids.

You're buying a robot vacuum to make your life easier. Choose one that can wash and dry its own mopping pads to avoid extra work.

Some robot vacuums can mop with a cleaning solution rather than just water. Check the fine print to see if you can use other detergents.

Some models use heated water while mopping. Heated mopping loosens the bonds that make grease slimy and hard to wipe up.

Avoid robot vacuums that don't mop. They often have weak suction and aren't great at navigating.

Even if you don't think you'll use the mopping feature, it's still worth getting a robot vacuum that can mop.

Smart mapping refers to a robot vacuum's ability to scope out and remember a copy of your home's floor plan.

LiDAR measures the distance between boundaries and large objects in the room by bouncing lasers off walls and furniture.

VSLAM uses cameras that continuously capture images of the space and identify room-specific landmarks.

Many flagship robot vacuums combine LiDAR and VSLAM to achieve seamless navigation.

Room-by-room smart mapping allows robot vacuums to clean specific areas in those rooms.

What to avoid: Smart mapping is the baseline brain power that any robot vacuum worth your money should have.

Luckily, smart mapping isn't a tall order nowadays. You can find reliable brands like Shark or Roborock with room-to-room mapping for under $200.

Technical translation: Small obstacle avoidance technology helps a robot vacuum dodge low-profile objects in real time.

Many obstacle avoidance cameras can decipher between different types of objects and mark them on the map.

Some fancier robot vacuums can snap photos and capture a livestream video, giving you a floor-level view of your home.

If you're not comfortable with the camera feature, you can turn it off.

Small obstacle avoidance cameras are becoming more advanced, using AI to become better drivers and cleaners over time.

If you're not big on AI, you can turn off AI features without completely disabling small obstacle avoidance.

The size of your space will determine how important battery life is. A 90- to 100-minute battery life is sufficient for a small home or apartment.

Every robot vacuum you'll find at a retailer is a self-charging robot vacuum. They know to return to the dock when their battery is low.

Topics Robot Vacuums