How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The most expensive models can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb up 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 decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot with additional features, think about a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best roborock vacuum-rated models. It has a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it stopped last and makes it much easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it can spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it does. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is great in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best affordable robot vacuum for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot automatic vacuum cleaner with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can exchange a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors that are not bare as well as rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run 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 go several weeks without having to be emptied and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models, but it still picks up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one move. If you have mixed flooring choose one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic floor vacuums vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it 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 dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. 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 don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, Best robot vacuum cleaner the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. You should consider one that has a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This will allow them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is a great option for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.