How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The most expensive models will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuum cleaner vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it stopped last and makes it much easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily 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 and let you do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best robot vacuum under 200 choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time 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 floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum cleaner price vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, [Redirect-302] and eliminating obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, [Redirect-302] which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare and rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be emptying and has impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic 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, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner on sale vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

When you need mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. They are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, where the bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that their traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. These advances reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic hoovers snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount illumination to see where they're going. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the area. Our top overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that might interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you don't want the affordable robot vacuum to go, which can be useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested and recommend that you review our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.