How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to cope with the daily messes. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried many robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features, such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and Best robot Vacuum cleaner fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped at the last point, making 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 an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot works. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

While this robot cleaner can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and Best robot Vacuum cleaner lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum cleaner amazon Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be cleaned. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run for certain times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best inexpensive robot vacuum value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. Choose models that have an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, think about a robotic hoovers mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance you can use the app to set up an area where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

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

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these devices, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them need a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to trace the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models use this. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

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

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful when you have pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.