How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A budget robot vacuum vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with intelligent 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. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot vacuum black friday 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 prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the spot where it stopped last which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future reference. It can pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-highest rated robot vacuum models but it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best automatic vacuum cleaner choice. You can exchange a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot vac combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one move. If you have mixed flooring choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with 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 consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and reused.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to set up a zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. 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 need to manually empty the bin like 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 that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and robot Vac avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot vacuum cleaner amazon to enter. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.