How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

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

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four automatic Floor Cleaning machine maps to be used in the future for references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. 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 the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out the cleaning robot price bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum robot Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum cleaner amazon vacuums and mops but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining a automatic vacuum cleaner with a mop to complete the job in one step. Find one that has an onboard sensor automatic floor cleaning Machine that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. 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, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for instance, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. You should consider a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up do this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it is in another room.

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