How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and lightweight debris and allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and roomy self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for a bagless robot vacuum that has additional features, you should consider one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it 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 robovacs with the most conveniences such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing the stairs.

The Black and Decker model has a lower score for navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. It comes with a huge, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also comes with a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to cover larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it works. The app includes a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is a little less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick an automatic vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models do a good job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a good job of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum, and they may be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best robot cleaner option. You can exchange an empty bin for a moist mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the flooring from getting wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We liked its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as carpets. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and great path planning for such a small device.

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 emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less powerful suction than some other mop/robot combos but it's efficient in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors, as they can navigate around obstacles easily without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning robot price upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robots come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one go. If you have floors that are mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the robot vacuum cleaner top 10 falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads, the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. Its reusable mop pads reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station to save your time. The mop pads can also be dried, washed and used again.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance, you can, use the app to create zones that the vacuum won't enter, or to label rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name suggests the robots are best suited for small spaces. They have smaller bins, which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better over larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These advances reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems with these machines however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and they require an adequate amount of light to be able to see where they are moving. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top models and runners-up models do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

The models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, and not when they are above it. It's essential to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas that you don't want the robot to enter. This can be helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of each model below prior to making a purchase.