How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular house cleaning robot. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The most expensive models can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing stairs.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location the last time it was used which makes it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner liquid droplets and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with 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 like baking soda and sand as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most expensive robot vacuum carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that lets you swap in a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only. We liked its navigation on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large charging dock that can last for several weeks without having to be emptied and has amazing navigation capabilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best robots 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 which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mop pads the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove light dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be dried, washed 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 use the app to set up a no-go zone that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins, that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to maneuvering around tight corners as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. Look into one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our best overall models and runners-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot vacuum cleaner price think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This is helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we test and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.