How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and light debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor robot, but they can't climb up the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on 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, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of 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's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing steps.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen 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 with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four automatic floor cleaner maps to be used in the future for references. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

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

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other cheap robot vacuum vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when 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 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for a device 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 large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice 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 go. If you have floors that are mixed choose one equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and Automatic Floor cleaner other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When you need mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash 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 reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

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

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robot accident.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues that these devices have however. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require some level of illumination to be able to see where they are moving. Look into a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to create maps of the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up use this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

The models can be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

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