How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested many robotic vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic floor vacuums vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, [Redirect Only] such as furniture legs and power cables so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can 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 for later use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it works. The included app provides a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are capable of collecting dust from low-pile rugs. Some are capable of house Cleaning robot up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in 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 your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. 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 modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also has impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart-mapping feature 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 causing chaos). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best auto vacuum value of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or deep house cleaning robot upholstery.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for one with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mop pads can also be washed, dried and used again.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, as well, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent a major change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot accident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all issues that these devices have, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones did and most require a certain amount of illumination to be able see where they're headed. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition being capable of working in dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot hoover to believe it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.