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 at removing dust and light debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuum cleaner commercial vacuums. She's a huge fan of amazon robot vacuum vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the place the last time it was used which makes it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects as well as 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 washing robot plans to be used in the future. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum reviews vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt that is 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 instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart mapping system that can be set to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one go. If you have floors that are mixed choose a model equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mops, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be washed, dried and used again.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto vacuum Cleaner-emptying port that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also 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 hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful if you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.