How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will help you save time and hassle in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers do a good job of removing dust and light debris, and most allow you to set no-go zones for pet areas or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive can even sweep your floors, but they can't climb stairs. Find models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots in our testing are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll want a Robot vacuum cleaner best with decent carpet-picking capability and the ability to take on stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model 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 tested several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most conveniences like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and fill the water tanks used to mop 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 tripped up when climbing steps.

When compared to 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 enormous dust bin that doesn't require frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning times and then return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier to clean larger areas. This model is an excellent choice for pet owners as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests, we observed that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor plans for future use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the cheap robot vacuum cleaner is working. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, however it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downsides are that it isn't able to mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a vacuum that has good pickup and a high score for maneuverability on carpets and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile, and several are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and they may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best option for carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop, which allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop that can clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the flooring from becoming wet. You don't have to remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuum/mops in keeping away from obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. 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. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and rugs. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It comes with a huge dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors with no floor. It also has a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combos, but its still very effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value of our top picks.

best cheap robot vacuum for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are a great pick for hardwood floors because they are able to navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are excellent for removing dust and crumbs, but struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They lack the suction power of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them unsuitable for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robots are two-in-one, which combine mop and vacuum to do a complete job in one move. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the automatic floor cleaner texture and adjust suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robot mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it has the ability to mop as well. Its sensors allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than wipe them clean to get rid of light dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. They can also be dried, washed, and reused.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and puts it in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are designed for small spaces. They have smaller bins which can hold less debris. They are also more efficient when it comes to moving around corners more efficiently than larger models. They can also be placed under furniture where larger robots can't reach. These robots are also cheaper than higher-end models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers started adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

However, the latest sensors haven't resolved all of the problems these machines have. The less expensive models are not able to traverse the same obstacles as older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to be able to be able to see where they're moving. You should consider a model that uses a spinning LIDAR unit that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our top overall model and the runners-up do this. This lets them work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

They can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend let you set up virtual no-go zones to protect areas you do not want the robot to move, which is beneficial if you have small children or pets. These features aren't on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.