How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best ones are adept at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and large self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested in our testing are efficient and easy to use and able to keep up with everyday debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested numerous robotic floor scrubber vacuums, is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide 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 recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

This robot from Black and Decker has a lower score for navigation and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. Additionally, it has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to tackle larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to detect 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 maps to be used in the future for use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app comes with a 3D representation of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

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

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug mobility and pickup. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. But they don't pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

For carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can exchange the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor. Additionally, you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also has a clever mapping system that can be set to run only during specific hours (a beneficial feature to keep mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark has less powerful suction than other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

The best vacuums choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They do an excellent job of picking up crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of a more complete chore in one pass. If you have mixed flooring, look for one with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. The sensors help it avoid the stairs and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum will not enter, or to label rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

best robot vacuum black friday suited for small Spaces

As the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that can store less garbage. 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 where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors could get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic incident.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require a certain level of light in order to be able to see where they're moving. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to map the space. Our top overall pick and runner-up models have this feature. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

In addition to being able to work in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful for those with pets or small children. These features aren't on all models we test. Read our full reviews before making your choice.