How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking to add more 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 at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing dozens of cheap robot vacuum cleaner vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic hoovers vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

This robot vacuum cleaner best from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. Additionally, it comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with 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, meaning you can continue to do chores while it works. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as efficient in cleaning robots as our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a good job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner price vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system and can be set to only run during certain times (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however, it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright automatic vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

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

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for instance make use of the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these devices, however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination to see where they are moving. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up do this. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to go to. This is a great option for those with small children or pets. These features aren't included on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.