How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and light debris and many allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self cleaning vacuum-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it stopped last which makes it easier to cover 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, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets 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 pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand as well as larger items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum 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 do a good job of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum cleaner amazon vacuum/mop is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rugs. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can run for months without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum deals black friday vacuum/mop combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have floors that are mixed, look for models with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you may 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 and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them over to get rid of light 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 you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advancements reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best to think it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.