How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular touch-ups. The best robot vacuum for tile floors models are capable of getting rid of dust as well as light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can take on stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for extra features, you may be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an application that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried numerous robotic vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing numerous robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as a long battery. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and return to the location the last time it was used which makes it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a good option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can 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 use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any time and resume where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot does its work. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

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 carpet and rugs. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some do a decently job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta and metal screws. But they don't pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and can be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot cleaner vacuum is the best option. You can exchange 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 spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home when you are away. It can be set up to only mop. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 robot vacuum Cleaner comparison Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart robot vacuums mapping system that can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop pets and children who are prone to mischief from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops but it's good at picking up hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. Find models that have an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring 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 your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It can also mop. The sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dust and dirt. Its pads that can be reused reduce waste and spread fewer germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to reduce time. The mops are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

Like the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in getting around corners better as opposed to larger models. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots struggle to get in. They are usually less expensive than the higher-end models too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuum cleaner deals vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers started adding sensors that helped them avoid household items that conventional sensors might become stuck on or run across. These advances reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors aren't solving all of the issues these machines face. The lower-end models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they require some level of illumination to be able to see where they are going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of furniture that is low-profile, think about buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our best robot vacuum for tile floors overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

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

A few of the models we recommend let you create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to go to. This is a great option for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't present on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.