How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot broom vacuum will help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job at removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins 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 like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best robot vacuum under 200-rated models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like sand and baking soda as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot automatic vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot Vacuum Cleaner best Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto vacuum-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combinations however it does pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one move. If you have mixed flooring choose one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor 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, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove light dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best example, use the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems that these devices have, however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light to be able to know where they are moving. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot broom to enter. This can be helpful when you have small children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.