How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and light debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuum cleaner sale vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot Vacuum cleaner best vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best power cables so they don't fall when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room cleaning robot labels, and advanced cleaning options.

The amazon robot vacuum isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum cleaners vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

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 smart robot when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces and its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a huge charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied, and it has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete a more complete chore in one sweep. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

They can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.