How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can save you lots of time and hassle in the case of regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.

The more expensive ones can even mop your floor but they aren't able to climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots that we tested are efficient, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll need a model with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the capability to climb stairs. If you're looking for a model with additional features, think about one that comes with smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested several robotic vacuum cleaner deals vacuums, has been credited with testing dozens of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robotic vacuums that offer the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used by mopping robots. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks such as furniture legs and power cables, so they don't fall when climbing steps.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. It comes with a large, non-refillable dustbin and an extended battery. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and then return to the place it stopped last, making it easier to clean larger homes. This model is an excellent option for pet owners, as it can avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we found that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined a LIDAR (light) sensor that can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. The combination lets it avoid steps, drops of liquid, and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future references. It can also pause the cleaning process at any time and return to where it stopped, so you can do chores while the robot works. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as good at cleaning like our top models, but it is a pro in removing heavier objects like orzo pasta, metal screws, and fine debris such as sand. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best option for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select one that scores high for rug and carpet ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile carpets, and some can be quite effective in cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta and screws made of metal. But they don't pick up fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum deals and may also be unable to pick up dirt in the vicinity of thresholds and baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted areas is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop that allows you to swap out an empty bin for cleaning and a damp mopping pad. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts its pads when they come into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from getting wet. You don't need remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in the absence of obstacles and in getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It was a great performer in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home even when you're away. It can be set to mop only and we loved its remarkable navigation on rug and floor surfaces as well as its ability to climb up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and great path planning for such a small device.

If you're looking to buy a high-tech vacuum Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop is a fantastic option. It comes with a large charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be empty and has amazing navigation abilities and auto-emptying on carpets and floors. It also comes with a smart mapping system and can be set to only run for certain hours (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot Vacuum cleaner cheap (metooo.co.uk) combination models, but it still manages to pick up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

Best for Hard Flooring

Robot vacuums are a great choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily navigate around obstacles without damaging bare surfaces. They are capable of picking up dust and crumbs, but they are unable to deal with pet hair and other larger particles. They lack the suction power of a high-end upright or canister vacuum, meaning they're not the best choice for carpeted rooms or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-1 robots combine mopping and vacuum and take care of a more complete chore in one sweep. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that can detect changes in the floor texture and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for instance, has this feature and can go seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic vacuum and mop combination like the eufy S1 Pro. This model is a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner amazon vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood and other hard surfaces, plus it has the ability to mop as well. The sensors in it allow it to avoid dangers like stairs.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads are reusable, which reduce the amount of waste, and make it less likely to spread germs and can be cleaned at the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. You can, for example utilize the app to designate areas where the vacuum cannot enter, label different rooms and plan specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and is then stored in a disposable or bagless bin, so you don't have to manually empty the bin like you do with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies that these robots are to be used in small areas. They have smaller bins which can hold less garbage. They are also more efficient in moving around corners more efficiently over larger models. They can also fit under furniture where larger robots aren't able to reach. They tend to be cheaper than the more expensive models, too, although you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums underwent a major transformation when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of the problems these machines have. The most affordable models struggle with the same obstacles that the older ones faced and most need a certain amount of light to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider purchasing a top-mounted spinning LIDAR unit to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to work in darkness and avoid obstacles like stairs.

In addition being capable of working in the dark they can also be programmed to use their cliff sensors only on or near the floor, not when they're above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from occurring. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models may bounce off reflective surfaces, which makes the robot think it's in another room.

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