How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though 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 best robots that we tested are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you want a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor vacuum robot maps to be used in the future for references. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app provides the 3D image of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every 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.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and [Redirect Only] pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it does pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to bare surfaces. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one sweep. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic automated vacuum cleaner with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the robot Vacuum cleaner best falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, [Redirect Only] making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This has have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older models faced and most need a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

They can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you do not want the robot vacuum cleaner comparison to go, which can be useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.