How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app includes the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. Many models do a good job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot floor cleaner vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the automatic floor cleaning machine. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot Vacuum cleaner best Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot cleaner commercial vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires 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 a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts 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 a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

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

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best you can, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless 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 specifically designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This has decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older models faced and most require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit mounted on top to map the space. Our top pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.