How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum cleaner Best vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models do a great job picking up dust and lightweight debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The most expensive robot vacuum expensive models will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robotic floor scrubber vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker 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 a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor washing robot maps for future reference. It is able to pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as efficient in cleaning like our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine particles such as sand. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up small particles like canister or upright vacuums and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best home vacuum cleaner option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and mops with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to avoid wetting the floor. You don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean when you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on carpets and floors and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be empty. It also has amazing ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run for certain times (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however, it still manages to pick hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are great for removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one pass. Find models that have an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can move effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about 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 too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the bot cleaner plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac can be controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate a zone where the vacuum can't go or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to empty the bin manually like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are usually less expensive than the pricier picks, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a 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 an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be set to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.