How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot hoover vacuum will save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and other small particles and allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a model 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 numerous cheap robot vacuum vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences, such as those that have self-emptying bins and [Redirect-302] charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it does. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises 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 more efficient than other robot vacuum cleaner best vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding 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 using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to get up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to run only during specific times (a beneficial feature to keep the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one go. If you have floors that are mixed choose one 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 lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable 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 washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic floor scrubber snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these devices however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they need a certain level of light to be able to see where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

These models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another 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 can be helpful if you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we test so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.