How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot capable of handling stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot with 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 dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuum cleaner best vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes 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 sweeper (Clickiocdn official blog) has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require 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 last, making it easier for you to take care of larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

best smart vacuum for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They can't take in small particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer 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 liked its remarkable navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for 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 without having to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning robots carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one step. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum bot with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. They can also be dried, washed, and reused.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a bagless robot vacuum or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, Robot sweeper and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advances decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these devices however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination to be able to see where they're moving. Look into one that has a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our top models and runners-up models have this feature. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful when you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.