How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb 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, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the Most Expensive Robot Vacuum convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of the robots that can detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to stay clear of stairs, drops 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 time and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best option. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

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 fantastic alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however it does pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best robot vacuum deals two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for models with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, think about a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. The 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.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. This has decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot cleaning machine to think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot go, which can be beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.