How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum price vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and other small particles, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pets or power cords.

The more expensive ones can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots in our testing are efficient and user-friendly, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll need a robot that has adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a robot with extra features, consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks for mopping robotic vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that are able to recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords, so they don't get caught when climbing steps.

In comparison with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier to clean larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners, as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It can also save up to four floor plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart cleaning at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app offers a 3D representation of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as efficient in cleaning as our top models, but it is great in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it can't mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rug. Many models are good at collecting dust from low-pile rugs, and some can be quite effective in picking up heavier debris like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. However, they can't handle small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to thresholds and baseboards.

For homes with carpets the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best roborock vacuum choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes into contact with carpets, preventing the automatic floor cleaning machine from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in keeping away from obstacles and getting close to rugs and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large charging dock that can go months without needing to be empty, and it has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on both bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot vacuum cleaner combination models however it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable price of our top picks.

Best for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to floors that aren't. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They also lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The most effective robots are those that are two-in-one, which combine the power of a mop with a vacuum to complete the job in one step. Find one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The Eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mops can also be washed and dried to stop the spread of mold.

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

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are 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. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, but you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuum cleaner on sale vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These advancements have 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.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these machines however. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older models faced and most require a certain amount illumination to see where they're going. Look into an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our best overall pick and runner-up models do this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

These models can also be programmed to utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that might 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.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot move, which is useful if you have pets or children. Those features aren't available on all the models we test and recommend that you review our full reviews of the choices below before making your purchase.