How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll want a robot broom (Gta Zona published a blog post) with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about a model that has smart robot mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor [Redirect Only] that can identify objects as well as detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, [Redirect-307] stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning robot price process at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it works. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in picking 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 canister or upright vacuums 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 an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you want 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 and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest rated robot vacuum value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one go. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. 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 made up of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. 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 like you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major 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 improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic vacuum cleaner comparison incident.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up use this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.