How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it stopped last and makes it much easier to tackle larger homes. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot vacuum cleaner best is not as efficient in cleaning as our top robot vacuum cleaner models, however it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only downsides are that it's not 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 robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, robot vacuum cleaner best and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they can't handle fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

The best robovac choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one pass. Look for a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect 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 you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores 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

As the name suggests, these robots are best home vacuum cleaner suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and robot vacuum cleaner Best avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

The models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are in or near the ground, and 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 could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

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