How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuum cleaner amazon vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught 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. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is a good option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app offers a 3D view of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for such a small device.

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

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one pass. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner best vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to set up an area 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 that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners over larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuum cleaner quiet vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic hoovers accident.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to know where they are moving. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our best overall models and runners-up models use this. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

The models can be programmed to only 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 cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.

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