How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

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

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart robot vacuums mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing the stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum cleaner review vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot vacuum cleaner on sale Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed choose models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot broom falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advances have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy or pet waste.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines, however. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination to be able to be able to see where they're moving. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to trace the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up do this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

They can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.