How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb up stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

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

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best return to the spot where it last stopped, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is a great option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete 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, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

The best robot hoover for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that scores high for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from getting wet. You don't have remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring 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 high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptying, and it has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models, but it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed choose a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the automatic floor cleaners's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean smart robot up after a robot snag.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these machines however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require an adequate amount of light to know where they are moving. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to map the area. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot Vacuum cleaner best to think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This can be helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.