How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best models do a great job picking up dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

best self cleaning robot vacuum Overall

The best robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences like those that have self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place the last time it was used, making it easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for fwme.eu use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles like canister or upright vacuums, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin to 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 rpm. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets 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 your home when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart vacuum mapping system, and can be set to run only during specific times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still picks up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best amazon vacuum pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine a vacuum with a mop to complete the task in one move. If you have flooring that is mixed, look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. 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 you time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum won't enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic floor vacuums vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic incident.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older models faced and most require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.