How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, best robot vacuum For Large House and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot vacuum reviews remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most 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 cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

This robot vacuum cleaner top 10 from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, 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 tackle larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to 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 is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some are capable of cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the automatic floor cleaners from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop and we loved its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device 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 without having to be empty. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to only run for certain times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one go. Find a model that has 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 go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

best robot Vacuum for large house suited for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot accident.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.