How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

robot vacuum cleaner best buy vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job of removing dust and other small particles and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards 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. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by 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 the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to plan cleaning times and return to the place where it stopped last which makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app offers the 3D image of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose one that has a high score for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best vacuums option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum price vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot broom vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

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 be set to only mop and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal option for hardwood floors since they are able to navigate 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 the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to consider a robot vacuum cleaner ebay mop and Robot Broom vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example make use of the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, or to label rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This has reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to be able to know where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark and 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 is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could hinder this function, though, as the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot vacuum deals to move, which is beneficial 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.