Annie Coombes

How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

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

The more expensive models even clean your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Choose models that have intelligent mapping, real-time hazard avoidance, and spacious self-emptying bins.

best robot floor cleaner Overall

The best robots we tested were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily messes. You'll need a model with decent carpet-picking power and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for additional features, you may be interested in a model equipped with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing reviewer and writer for shopping at PEOPLE who has tested dozens of 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 refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they won't get tripped up when climbing the stairs.

Compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum has less object-avoidance technology, and its navigation score is lower. However, it has a large dustbin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to cover larger areas. This model is also a good choice for pet owners because it is able to spot and eliminate hair tangled and fallen food particles.

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 can avoid stairs, liquid droplets, and furniture legs easily with this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor robot plans to be used in the future. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning that you can continue with your chores while it is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models but it excels in removing fine debris like baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only drawbacks are that it's not able to mop, and has a less efficient navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one that scores high for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few do a decent job at sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles as well as canister or upright vacuums, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

The best option for carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap between an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that can clean and mop at the same time with circular pads spinning at 200 rotations a minute. It automatically detects and lifts the pads when it is in contact with carpet, preventing it from soaking the floor. Additionally, you don't need to remove or replace them after every use. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuum/mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting close to rugs and thresholds.

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 sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop and we loved its remarkable navigation on bare floors and rugs and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and a great path-planning feature for such a small device.

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 great option. It comes with a large charging dock that can run for weeks without needing to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation abilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to only operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep mischievous kids and dextrous pets from causing havoc). The Shark has less suction power than some other robot vacuums and mops however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. It is the best value among our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

self-cleaning robot vacuums vacuums are the best automatic floor cleaner pick for hardwood floors because they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are excellent at of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other larger particles. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate mopping and vacuum and take care of an entire task in one go. If you have floors that are mixed, look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction to match. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, comes with this feature and can transition seamlessly 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 like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model features an efficient robot vacuum with smart navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces. Additionally, it can mop too. 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 mop pads the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than wipe them over to remove light dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and spread germs less and can be cleaned at the docking station to save your time. They can also be dried, washed and used again.

The robovac is controlled via your smartphone, making it simpler to use. You can, for example make use of the app to create zones where the vacuum cannot be allowed to enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless robot vacuum bin, which means you don't need to manually empty the bin as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

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

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation as manufacturers began adding sensors to help navigate around and avoid household objects that traditional sensors would become stuck on or over. This has reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic snag, whether it was an electrical cord, toy, or piece of pet waste.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the problems that these devices have, however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and they need an adequate amount of light to see where they are going. If you reside in a dark area or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your space like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This lets them work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only when they're near or on the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from happening. The lasers used by the LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different space.

A few of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go zones in areas you don't want the robot to move, which is useful if you have pets or children. These features aren't offered on all of the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of the choices below before you make a purchase.