How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models that have intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing stairs.

When compared with the top-rated models this black friday robot vacuum deals and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot the last time it was used and makes it much easier to tackle larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. But they don't pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to clean your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

robot cleaner amazon vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one go. Find one that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot accident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems that these devices have however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones did and most require a certain amount illumination to see where they're going. Look into a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may 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.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.