Alissa Loyau

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can help you save time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept 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. Look for models with intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to keep up with everyday debris. It is also important to choose a model that can handle stairs and has adequate cleaning 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 is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested numerous robotic vacuums. She's a huge fan of robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying dustbins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables, so they won't get tripped up when climbing steps.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score on navigation and less object-avoidance tech than the best-rated models. It does however have a large dustbin that doesn't require frequent emptying and a long battery life. It also has an option that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to clean larger spaces. This model is a great option for pet owners, because it will prevent the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with an organized light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. This combination lets it avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It is also able to stop the cleaning process at any point and resume where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot does its work. The app includes the 3D image of your home, complete with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, however it is great 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.

The best smart vacuum for Carpet

If you have carpeting, pick one that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of steel. They don't pick-up fine particles like an upright canister, and could miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. It is possible to swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop that is able to clean and mop simultaneously with circular pads spinning at 200 rpm. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also more efficient than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and being close to carpets and thresholds.

Another option that is worth considering is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which performed very well in our tests and can be scheduled through the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can also be set to mop only, and we liked its excellent navigation on rug and floor surfaces, as well as its ability to climb over and up onto furniture. 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 top-of-the-line vacuum, the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a great option. It comes with a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be cleaned. It also has impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart mapping system that can be set to only run during certain hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than some other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair and is the Best Auto vacuum value of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for hardwood floors, as they can maneuver through obstacles with ease without causing damage floors that aren't. They are great in removing dust and crumbs but struggle with pet hair or other debris. They don't have the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the ideal option for rooms with carpets or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one sweep. If you have mixed flooring, look for a model with an onboard sensor which detects any changes in floor texture and adjusts suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly made up of hardwood floors, you should consider an automated automatic vacuum cleaner and mop combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, and it can mop too. Its sensors let it stay clear of hazards like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, rather than simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and spread germs less, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads can also be cleaned and dried to avoid spreading mold.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it much easier to use. You can, for instance make use of the app to designate areas that the vacuum won't 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 in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies that these robots are to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less waste, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit underneath furniture where larger robots have difficulty reaching. They are also less expensive than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years back robotic vacuums experienced an important change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times that 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 cheaper models are still unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and they need some level of illumination in order to know where they are moving. Consider getting one that has an LIDAR spinning unit that is that is mounted on top to map the area. Our best overall pick and runner-up models use this. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers while working in the dark.

These models can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are near or on the ground, but not when they are above it. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that might interfere with this function, however, because the laser used by a laser-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models we recommend allow you to set up virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot vacuum cleaner review to go, which can be useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before deciding.