How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The most expensive models can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

best value robot vacuum Overall

The best robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get tripped up when climbing stairs.

Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule house cleaning robot sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger spaces. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot Vacuum Cleaner best works. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda as well as larger objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best home vacuum cleaner choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which lets you swap in the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the automatic floor cleaning machine from getting wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well 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 were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors as well as rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and bare floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops, but its still very efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

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

The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one go. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that can 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 your home is primarily made up of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. 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.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. 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 every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit under furniture that larger robots can't reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that allowed them to navigate around and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the problems with these devices however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

The models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It is still recommended to shield any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, since the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to believe it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend also allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas where you do not want the robot go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.