How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The most expensive models can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Look for models with intelligent vacuum cleaner mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

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

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app provides the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

The best floor vacuum robot for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for best roborock Vacuum a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which 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 automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't have to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only and we loved its excellent navigation on carpets and floors as well as its ability to get 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 top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a huge charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best roborock vacuum choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum bot, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one pass. If you have mixed flooring you should look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your 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 much easier to use. You can, for instance utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot accident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced and most require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the area. Our top model and the runners-up do this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot go, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.