How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust as well as light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Look for models that have smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has good house cleaning robot power for carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates 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 several robotic vacuums, has been recognized for her testing of numerous robot vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so they don't fall when climbing steps.

When compared to the top-rated models, this Black and Decker vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have an ample dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. Additionally, it comes with the ability to plan cleaning times and return to the location the last time it was used and makes it much easier to clean larger areas. This model is a great choice for pet owners as it can avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that can map rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. It is able to avoid liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs with this combination. It also has the ability to save up to four floor washing robot plans for later use. It is able to pause and resume the cleaning process at any point, so that you can continue doing chores while it is working. The app comes with the 3D image of your home, room labels and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot vacuum sale can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in picking up fine debris like sand and baking soda, as well as heavier items, such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only downsides are that it's not able to mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of picking up dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile and some are capable of cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. But they don't pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister automated vacuum cleaner, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap between the cleaning bin as well as 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 rotations a minute. It recognizes and raises its pads when it comes in contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't need remove them or replace them each time. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as rugs and thresholds and avoiding obstacles.

Another solid option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean while you're away from home. It can be set up to mop only. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors that are not bare and carpets. 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 modern model, you can look at 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 has amazing capability to auto-empty carpets and bare floors. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to only operate at certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from running it amuck). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the most affordable of our top choices.

best self cleaning robot vacuum for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they can easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor's surface. They are excellent at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They lack the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that requires deep cleaning.

The most effective robots are those that come with two-in-one features, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one move. Find models that have an onboard sensor to detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home you may want to consider a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When you need mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them over to remove light dust and dirt. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that sucks debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made for smaller spaces. They have smaller bins that can hold less waste, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to manually empty their dirt storage compartments at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors could become stuck on or run across. This improved the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robot incident.

However, the new sensors haven't solved all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same issues that the older models faced and most require a certain amount light to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

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

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas where you do not want the robot to go, which is useful if you have children or pets. These features aren't included on all of the models we test and recommend that you read our full reviews of each model below before making your purchase.