How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a model with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control the robot vacuum sale remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuum cleaners vacuums. She's a big fan of robovacs that offer the most convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a big fan of robots that detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker robot vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The included app provides the 3D image 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 and heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose an automatic vacuum (Icons 8 official blog) that scores high for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a good job of picking up dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and could be unable to pick up dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home when you are away. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long time to run and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations however, it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop to complete a more complete chore in one pass. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is comprised of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot cleaner plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and puts it in a bagless robot vacuum or disposable bin, so you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advancements have reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors don't solve all the issues with these machines however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they require a certain level of light in order to know where they are moving. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top 5 robot vacuum to create maps of the space. Our top pick and runner-up models have this feature. This lets them avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition to being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not above them. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we've tested so make sure to read our full reviews of the models below prior to making a purchase.