How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

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

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as ones that have self vacuum-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill 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 trip when climbing steps.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects 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 then return to the spot where it last stopped which makes it easier to tackle larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it works. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and robotic vacuum cleaner reviews thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

best rated robot vacuum for Hard Flooring

budget robot vacuum vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of removing crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of the top robot vacuum cleaner canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The Best Robot Vacuum For The Money robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one go. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum 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. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these devices however. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas where you don't want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.