How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust light debris, cords and dust.

The ones that are more expensive can even mop your floor however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robot vacuum cleaner robots we've tested that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and are able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't trip up when climbing steps.

When compared to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't require regular emptying and robot vacuum Cleaner best has a lengthy battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to cover larger homes. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, because it will prevent hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so you can continue to do chores while it does. The app offers the 3D image of your home with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

Although this model isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it is superior in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, 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 one that has a high score for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet, and several are capable of sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They aren't able to pick up fine particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt that is close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one cheap robot vacuum vacuum cleaner best (Keep Reading) vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops wet with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet, preventing it from soaking the automatic floor cleaner, 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 such as rugs and thresholds and eliminating obstacles.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled via the app to clean when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large charging dock that can go several weeks without having to be emptying, and it has impressive navigation skills and auto-emptying on bare floors and carpets. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to only be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature that can keep the sly kids and pets from causing chaos). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuums and mops however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the most affordable of our top picks.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to maneuver around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop and take care of a more complete chore in one go. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for models equipped with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly from soft to hard carpeting.

If your home is composed of hardwood floors, consider a robotic vacuum and mop combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to worry 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, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station to save you time. The mop pads can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it easier to use. You can, for example make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't enter, label different rooms or plan specific cleaning times. The Eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to manually empty the bin every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name suggests, these robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that could help them avoid household items that their conventional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These advancements reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the issues these machines face. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same obstacles that the older models faced and most require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, like our best value robot vacuum overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones while working in the dark.

In addition being able to work in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it is in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful for those with small children or pets. These features aren't available on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.