How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular touch-ups. The best models are capable of getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.

The most expensive models can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient and able to cope with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and that has decent ability to pick up carpets. And, if you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing steps.

The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It does however have an enormous dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to take care of larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with an organized 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 reference. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it is working. The app includes a 3D view of your home, complete with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot vacuum cleaner amazon is not as good at cleaning as our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best budget robot vacuum for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select an automatic vacuum with a high rating for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has impressive navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system, and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful as 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 value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are great for removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have 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 a more complete chore in one sweep. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in the docking stations to save time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can utilize the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Best 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 the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture that larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them avoid household items that traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. These advances decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the new sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older ones did, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to create maps of the area. Our top model and the runners-up do this. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful when you have pets or children who are small. Those features aren't available on all of the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.