How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

robot floor cleaner vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The more expensive ones will even sweep your floor, but they can't climb up the stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic floor scrubber vacuums. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot vacuum cleaner best (click web page) has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as effective at cleaning like our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a less efficient navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpet and rug. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as canister or upright vacuums and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests and you can program it to sweep your home when you are away. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one go. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor texture and adjust 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 lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot cleaner plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce 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 an area that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the pricier picks, however, you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. This has reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines, however. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light to be able to be able to see where they're moving. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

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

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot floor cleaner to go to. This is helpful if you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.