How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model capable of handling stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a reviewer of products who has tested dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a big fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't trip when climbing stairs.

In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and then return to the place it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

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

This robot vacuum cleaner top 10 - click for source - is not as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot sweeper vacuum with good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpet and rugs. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. But they don't pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of baseboards and thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We loved its navigation on bare floors as well as carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot automated vacuum cleaner & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be empty and boasts amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain hours (a beneficial feature to keep pets and children who are prone to mischief from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than other mop/robot combos however it's still efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top picks.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging floors that aren't. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one sweep. Choose models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot floor cleaner vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

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

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance make use of the app to create zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. These advancements have reduced the number of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the problems with these machines however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same issues that the older ones did and, in addition, they require a certain amount light to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our best overall model and the runners-up do this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot vac to visit. This is a great option for those with pets or small children. These features aren't included on all the models we test, so be sure to read our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.