How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and light debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

best automatic vacuum cleaner Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing steps.

When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to cover larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is also able to stop the automated cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app provides the 3D image of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot automated vacuum is the best amazon vacuum choice. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 revolutions 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. You don't have remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be cleaned. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

best buy robot vacuum for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one move. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as 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 clean to remove dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

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

best inexpensive robot vacuum for Small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to see where they are going. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to map the area. Our top overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can also be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you don't want the robot to go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.