How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and light debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.

When 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 a long battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger spaces. This model is a good choice for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app includes a 3D view of your home 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 small particles such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less impressive navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty 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 that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum cleaner best vacuums/mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally 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 remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

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 comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing chaos). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still picks hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one step. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum cleaner best buy vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like 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 get rid of light 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 to save you time. The mops are also able to be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't enter, or [Redirect-302] 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 is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, so you don't have to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

best robot vacuum for the money for Small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They tend to be cheaper than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that their 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 a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount illumination to see where they're going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our best budget robot vacuum overall pick and runner-up models do this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

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

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This can be helpful when you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.