How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The top models do a great job of removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has adequate ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuum cleaner vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. In addition, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place where it stopped last and makes it much easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a great choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the Robot vacuum cleaner best does its work. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it is great at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum ebay vacuum that has a high score for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and a few do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. You can swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops wet with circular pads that spin 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 flooring from becoming wet. It is not necessary to take them off or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime 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 great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for months without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic floor cleaning machine emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very good at picking up hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.

best vacuums for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, however they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one go. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture 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 primarily composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads 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 mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies that these robots are suited for small areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in maneuvering around tight corners than larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their traditional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advances decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to know where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

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

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to go, 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.