How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and other small particles and many allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors however they're not able to climb up stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we have tested are effective and user-friendly, and able to cope with the everyday messes. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic floor scrubber vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most features such as those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and a long battery. In addition, it has a feature 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 clean larger spaces. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, best combo vacuum we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can stay clear of stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans for later use. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing small particles like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it can't mop and has a slightly less efficient navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum cleaners vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles like an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and mops wet with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from becoming wet. You don't need to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to tidy your home while you are away. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you want a more high-tech model, consider the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however it still manages to pick hair and pet hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the Best combo vacuum price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best rated robot vacuum robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one move. Look for models that have an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. 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 might want to consider a robot mop and best combo vacuum vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses an efficient robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and 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 stop the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. 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 every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests that these robots are to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robot vacuum cleaner best buy snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older models faced and, in addition, they need a certain amount of illumination to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your space, like our best overall and runner-up picks do. This will allow them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

The models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to go, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test so make sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.