How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job picking up dust and other small particles, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even mop your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

best roborock vacuum Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used which makes it easier to tackle larger homes. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some are capable of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, automatic vacuum they can't handle small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out a cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be empty, and it has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

best roborock vacuum for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They also 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 best robot floor cleaner two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of an entire task in one sweep. Find a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and used again.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot accident.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they're moving. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you don't want the robot to go, automatic vacuum which can be useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested so make sure to go through our complete reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.