How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

best affordable robot vacuum Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you may 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 shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and Automatic Floor Cleaning Machine prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. 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 two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting closer 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 using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptying, and it has impressive navigation skills and automatic floor cleaning machine (Full Post) emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot broom 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 help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot broom falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for example, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller areas. 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 that larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This has reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these devices, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them need a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. You should consider a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our top models and runners-up models use this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you do not want the robot go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.