How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best roborock vacuum models are capable of picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and robot vacuum cleaner Best that has decent cleaning power for carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot the last time it was used and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum that scores high 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 metal. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 Robot vacuum cleaner Best vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other cheap robot vacuum cleaner vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great 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 comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system and can be programmed to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still picks up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

best robovac for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They do an excellent job of removing dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the task in one go. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for one with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems that these devices have however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

In addition being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all the models we test so make sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.