How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors, though they aren't able to climb the stairs. Find models that feature intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were user-friendly, efficient, and able keep up with the daily messes. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking power and the ability to handle stairs. And, if you're looking to add more features, you might be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried several robotic vacuums, has been acknowledged for her work in testing dozens of robot vacuums. She prefers the robovacs with the most features, such as those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuum cleaner on sale vacuums. She's also a big fan of the robots that can recognize landmarks like 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 has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has an enormous dust bin that doesn't need frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the place it was last. This makes it easier for you to clean larger homes. This model is a good choice for pet owners as it can avoid tangled fur and food particles.

In our tests we tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that is able to map rooms and identify obstacles using a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also stop the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot works. The included app provides the 3D image of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

The robot isn't as effective at cleaning as our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum Price vacuum with strong pickup and maneuverability scores on carpets and rugs. Many models do a decent job of picking up dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a decent job at picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and may also miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. It is possible to swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, is a vacuum cleaner and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when they come into contact with carpet, preventing the floor from getting wet. It is not necessary remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles, getting close to 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 set it up to schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set up to only mop. We loved its navigation on bare floors and rugs. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for the size of the device.

If you're looking for a high-tech vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great alternative. It has a large dock that can last for weeks without having to be emptied. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got a smart-mapping system and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from running it amuck). The Shark isn't as powerful as other mop/robot vacuum cleaner comparison combinations however it still picks up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the highest value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they can easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are fantastic at picking up dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction of a high-end canister or upright vacuum, making them a poor choice for deep cleaning robot price carpeted or upholstery areas.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum, taking care of a more complete chore in one pass. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for one with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily composed of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model has a powerful robotic vacuum with smart navigation that can clean hardwood floors and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors allow it to avoid hazards such as stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to wash hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to remove dirt and dust. The pads that are reusable reduce waste and help to spread less germs. They can also be cleaned at docking stations to help save time. The mops can also be washed, dried and reused.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can use the app to set up a no-go zone where the vacuum can't go, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning times for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects the debris via a trapdoor, and stores it into a bagless or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name suggests the robots are best to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins that can hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where larger robots are unable to reach. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate and avoid household objects that their conventional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times that our testers were required to clean up after a robotic accident.

The new sensors haven't eliminated all issues that these devices have, however. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as the older models, and require a certain level of light to be able to see where they are going. Consider getting a model that uses a spinning LIDAR device that is mounted on top to create maps of the space. Our best overall model and the runners-up have this feature. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

These models can be programmed to only use their cliff sensors only when they are in or near the ground, and not when they are above it. You'll still need to shield any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to believe it's in another room.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot go, which can be useful if you have children or pets. Those features aren't available on all the models we test and recommend that you go through our complete reviews of each model below before you make a purchase.