How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best inexpensive robot vacuum robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuum cleaner comparison vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have an enormous dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot is working. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

This robot vacuum cleaner best is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. But they don't pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. You can exchange an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. It is not necessary to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests, and you can 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 up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum 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 emptied and has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however it still picks hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of the entire chore in one sweep. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent vacuum cleaner navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins which can 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. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot vacuum cleaner best accident.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The lower-end models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination in order to see where they are moving. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

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

Some of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot to go, which can be beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.