How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The best vacuums ones are adept at cleaning up dust light debris, cords and dust.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots in our testing 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 has good pick-up power on carpets. 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 the robot remotely.

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

Compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to clean larger spaces. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off and let you do chores while the robot does its work. The app provides a 3D view of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only drawback is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot sweeper vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You don't have 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 and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its impressive navigation on both bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be emptied and boasts amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair and is the best value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one go. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. 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 robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors let it avoid dangers like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mops can also be washed, dried and used again.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are generally less expensive than the higher-end models as well, but you'll have to manually empty their dirt compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuum cleaner comparison vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. This has decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The cheaper models are still not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require an adequate amount of light in order to know where they are moving. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space as our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

The models can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that could interfere with this function however, since the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to visit. This is a great option for those with pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.