How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best affordable robot vacuum models do a great job picking up dust and light debris, and most allow you to create no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazards avoidance, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you're looking to add more features, you may be interested in a robot that uses 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 dozens robotic vacuum cleaner deals vacuums, is acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones 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 they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It has a large dust bin that is non-refillable and an extended battery. Additionally, it has the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the location where it stopped last and makes it much easier to tackle larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners as it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and detect 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 easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for references. It can pause and resume cleaning at any time, so that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The included app offers the 3D image of your home, room labels and more advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like baking soda and sand and heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. The only downside is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less effective navigation system.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. A lot of models are adept at cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. They don't pick-up small particles like an upright or canister, and they may miss dirt close to baseboards or thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads that spin at 200 revolutions per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the flooring from becoming wet. You don't need to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums/mops when it comes to avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which was a great performer in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on floors with no flooring and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and a great path-planning feature for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also features impressive capability to auto-empty carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep the sly kids and pets from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it still picks up pet hair and hair extremely well. It's also the best roborock vacuum value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging surfaces that are not bare. They are excellent in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or other debris. They lack the suction power of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one sweep. 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, comes with this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model comes with a powerful robotic vacuum with intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually clean hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than wipe them clean to remove light dust and dirt. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to reduce time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

The robovac is controlled by your smartphone, making it much easier to use. For instance you can make use of the app to designate a zone where the vacuum can't go or label rooms separately, or schedule cleaning times for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto vacuum cleaner-emptying port that collects the debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best suited for small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which hold less debris. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, however you will have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years back, automatic hoover robot vacuums went through significant changes. Manufacturers began to add sensors that helped them navigate and avoid household items that traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same issues that the older models faced and, in addition, they require a certain amount of light to see where they're going. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit placed on top of the model to create maps of the area. Our top pick and runner-up models do this. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

They can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only 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 occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend also let you set up virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to go through our complete reviews of the choices below prior to making a purchase.