How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and light debris, and most 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 stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuum cleaner best vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum cleaner for sale vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The Robot vacuum cleaner comparison isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, but it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and 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 be set to only mop, 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 time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart vacuum cleaner-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop 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 best inexpensive robot vacuum for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor robot vacuum cleaner Comparison that detects any changes in floor 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 you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you 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 to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these devices however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones did, and many of them need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot go, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.