How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and light debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Look for models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

This robot vacuum cleaner sale from Black and Decker has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. In addition, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the place where it last stopped, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is a good option for pet owners, because it will prevent tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot works. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, 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 in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty robot broom Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptied, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system, and can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top picks.

best budget robot vacuum for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one go. If you have mixed flooring, look for models with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a Robot Vac mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as 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 remove dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mop pads can also be washed, dried and used again.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from 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 has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where bigger robots struggle to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt compartments 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 their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models still struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. Consider getting an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is mounted on top to map the space. Our top model and the runners-up use this. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

In addition being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful when you have pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.