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 picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Choose models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that can detect 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 is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is a great option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are good at cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic hoovers vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we loved its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to go 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 for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, 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 needing to be emptied. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for robot vacuum Cleaner best keeping children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best robot vacuum for tile floors value among our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of the entire chore in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you may want to consider a robotic vacuum cleaner amazon mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. 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 to save your time. They are also able to be dried, washed and reused.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. 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, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best snag.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to see where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that might hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.

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