How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best amazon vacuum models are capable of cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best real-time hazards avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to keep up with daily debris. You'll need a robot that has decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. If you want a robot with extra features, consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuums, has been credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features such as ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing steps.

The Black and Decker model has a lower navigation score and has less object-avoidance technology than the best-rated models. It comes with a large non-refillable dustbin as well as an extended battery. Additionally, it has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the location where it last stopped and makes it much easier to tackle larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify obstacles and map rooms by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects as well as detect edges. It can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for future use. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it works. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing small particles like sand and baking soda and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. Its only downsides are that it's not able to mop, and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. Many models do a decent job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, you don't have to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in avoiding obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another good option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to get over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for several weeks without having to be empty and boasts impressive navigation skills and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot combination models however, it does pick hair and pet hair very well. It's also the best price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

robot vacuum cleaner best vacuums are ideal for floors with hardwood floors because they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage the surfaces that are not. They do an excellent job of removing crumbs and dust, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright remote vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective robots come with two-in-one features, combining the power of a mop with a vacuum to do a complete job in one move. If you have mixed flooring you should look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and allows it to move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robotic hoovers vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to stay clear of hazards like stairs.

When it comes to mops, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to get rid of light dirt and dust. Its reusable mop pads reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best can be cleaned at the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads are also able to be washed, dried and used again.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to create a no-go zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has decreased the amount of times that our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these devices however. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older ones did and most need a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you are living in a dark space or have a lot of low-profile furniture, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, like our top 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 on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still want to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This can be 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 review our full reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.