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How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you remote control vacuum cleaner the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most expensive robot vacuum convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the most popular models. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place the last time it was used and makes it much easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor washing robot plans to be used in the future. 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 works. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

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

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an Automatic Vacuum; Imoodle.Win, that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum price vacuum is the best option. You can exchange the cleaning 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 spinning at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time 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 great option. It has a huge charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power than some other mop/robot combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, however they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the task in one go. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed, dried and reused.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests, these robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could be stuck on or across. This has decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination to see where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only near or on the floor, not above them. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in a different space.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the models below before you make a purchase.