How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The most expensive models can even mop your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Find models that feature smart vacuum cleaner mapping, robot vacuum cleaner best real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you 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 hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including 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 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. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it stopped last, making it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a good option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for robot Vacuum Cleaner best future use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some are capable of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot Vacuum cleaner best vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing navigation and auto vacuum-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot cleaner combination models however, it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister intelligent vacuum cleaner, so they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to complete the job in one go. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood 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 clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to get rid of light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at the docking stations to save time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless robot vacuum or disposable bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all issues that these devices have, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older models faced and most require a certain amount light to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our top pick and runner-up models use this. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

These models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in another 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 go to. This can be helpful when you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.