How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best models do a great job at removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a robot that uses smart mapping technology, or an application that allows you to control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing numerous robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most conveniences like those that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't get caught when climbing stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the most popular models. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. Additionally, it comes with a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the spot the last time it was used and makes it much easier to cover larger homes. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to spot and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, robotic vacuum Cleaner comparison the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and identify obstacles using an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any moment and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot works. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning as our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. Its only downsides are that it isn't able to mop, and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, you should look for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at collecting dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. But they don't pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot sweeper vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and staying clear of obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean while you're away from home. It can also be set to only mop and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific hours (a useful feature for keeping mischievous children and dextrous animals from running amok). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles easily without damaging the surfaces that are not. They do an excellent job of picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and other large debris. They also lack the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best two-in-1 robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one pass. If you have mixed flooring, look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to effortlessly switch from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is made up of hardwood floors, consider an automated vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create an area that the vacuum cannot enter or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies, these robots are best designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas bigger robots struggle to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Comparison vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements decreased the amount of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic hoovers snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Comparison the latest sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older models faced, and many of them need a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. You should consider an option that incorporates an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to trace the area. Our top pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near 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.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This is a great option if you have pets or small children. These features aren't offered on all the models we've tested and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of the models below before making your purchase.