How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris and many allow you to create no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazards avoidance, and large self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot 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 conveniences, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models this black friday robot vacuum deals and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. In addition, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location where it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with 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 return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

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

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to the absence of obstacles and in being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home even when you're away. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both rug and floor surfaces and its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for months without needing to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific times (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best value robot vacuum for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of an entire task in one pass. Choose a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood floors in your home, you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac is operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are made for small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

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

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues with these machines, however. The most affordable models struggle with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount illumination to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about purchasing top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

In addition being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not above them. It is essential to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the Automatic hoover robot to think it's in a different space.

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 visit. This is a great option for those with small children or pets. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.