How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers do a good job picking up dust and light debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pets or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and easy to use and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is 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 bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the best-rated models. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier to take care of larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor Robotvacuummops.com maps to be used in the future for references. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app comes with an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one that scores high for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may be unable to pick up dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests and you can program it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system that can be set to only run for certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They do an excellent job of picking up crumbs and dust, but they struggle with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

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

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots struggle to get in. They tend to be cheaper 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 significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advances reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these devices, however. The lower-end models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they're moving. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have small pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.