How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job at removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with daily debris. You'll also want a robot that can handle stairs and has good ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self vacuum-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't trip when climbing the stairs.

This Robot vacuum hoover from Black and Decker has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor robot plans to be used in the future. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing small particles like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and could miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out a house cleaning robot bin and mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a 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 having to be empty. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the task in one step. If you have flooring that is mixed choose models with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, think about a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have 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 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 at the docking station to save you time. They can also be dried, washed, and used again.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

best robot vacuum deals for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins that 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 tend to be cheaper than the higher-end models however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. This improved the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues that these devices have however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to be able to see where they are moving. If you are living in a dark space or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

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

A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot to move, which is useful if you have small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested and recommend that you read our full reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.