How to Choose the Best robot vacuum cleaner comparison Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model that has additional features, you should consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Commercial vacuums, is recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the top-rated models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used and makes it much easier to cover larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop, and we liked its excellent navigation on carpets and floors, as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing chaos). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.

The best robot vacuum for the money choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are a great option for hardwood floors since they are able to 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 larger particles. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one go. Choose one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the automatic floor cleaning machine texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting 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 wipe them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. They are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to create zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. This has have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The most expensive robot vacuum affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of light to be able see where they're headed. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the automatic floor cleaning machine, not when they're above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option when you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.