How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can help you save time and effort when it comes to cleaning. The best ones are adept at picking up dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Find models that feature smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a model with extra features, consider a model that has smart mapping technology or an app that allows you to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried dozens of robotic vacuums. She's a fan of the robovacs that offer the most convenience, including self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that can recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot 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 a long battery. It also comes with an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to identify and prevent tangled hair as well as fallen food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined with a LIDAR (light) sensor that can map rooms and detect obstacles using a structured-light sensor that can detect objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off so that you can complete chores while the robot vacuum cleaner cheap does its work. 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, it is superior in removing small particles like baking soda and sand, The best robot vacuum cleaner as well as heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.

The best inexpensive robot vacuum for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robotic vacuum that has strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rug. Many models are good at picking up dust in low-pile rugs. Some are capable of cleaning up larger debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they can't handle fine particles like an upright or canister vacuum and may also miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between a cleaning bin and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor, and you do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and eliminating obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We were impressed by its ability to navigate on floors with no flooring and rug. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a top-of-the-line vacuum that is high-tech, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic alternative. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be emptied. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature that can keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos but it's effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the best choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage the floor vacuum robot's surface. They are great at picking up dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair or larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not an ideal choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to complete the job in one go. If you have mixed flooring you should look for models with an onboard sensor which detects changes in the automatic floor vacuum's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum equipped with smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors help it avoid staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

When it comes to mops the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them to remove light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, the best robot vacuum Cleaner which reduce waste, spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. They are also able to be dried, washed, and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for example make use of the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms and schedule specific cleaning sessions. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name suggests that these robots are designed for smaller areas. They have smaller bins, which hold less garbage. They are also more efficient when it comes to getting around corners better than larger models. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots can't reach. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums went through a major change when manufacturers started adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. These advances have reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was a power cord, a toy or pet waste.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all the issues that these devices have however. The cheapest models still struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones did and, in addition, they need a certain amount of light to see where they're going. If you reside in a dark area or have lots of furniture with low-profiles, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles like stairs.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, though, as the laser used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot vacuum deals to think it's in another room.

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