How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best models are capable of cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and are able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels and advanced automatic cleaning robot options.

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

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best several are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up small particles like an upright canister, and they may be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It lets you swap in an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to sweep your home while you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptying and has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic hoover robot emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however, it still picks hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for one 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 you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them to get rid of light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be washed, dried and reused.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not be allowed to enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. 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 you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

Like the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that can store less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently as opposed to larger models. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them navigate around and Robot vacuum Cleaner Best avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot incident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these devices, however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. You should consider one that has a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to trace the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models do this. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark they can also be programmed 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 cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, since the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to think it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot vacuum cleaner Best to visit. This is a great option if you have pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.