How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to regular touch-ups. Top performers are good at getting rid of dust, light debris and cords.

The higher-end models even sweep your floors--though they still can't climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real-time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we have tested are effective, easy to use, and able to cope with the everyday messes. You'll want a robot with adequate carpet-picking capabilities and the ability to take on stairs. If you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a model that uses smart mapping technology, or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic vacuums. She prefers robovacs that have the most conveniences like ones that have self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill the water tanks used to mop robotic vacuums. She also likes robots that recognize landmarks like furniture legs and power cords to ensure they don't get caught when climbing the stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower score for navigation and has less technology for avoiding objects than the top-rated models. It does however have an ample dust bin that doesn't need regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. It also has the ability to schedule cleaning times and return to where it was last. This makes it easier for you to take care of larger spaces. This model is also a great option for pet owners since it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

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

This robot is not as good at cleaning like our top models, but it excels at picking up heavier items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that scores high for rug and carpet maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that is embedded in carpets with low pile and a few do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. However, they aren't able to pick up fine particles like canister or upright vacuums and can not pick up dirt that is ground-in close to baseboards and thresholds.


The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out the cleaning bin as well as mopping pad with damp. The Roborock Q Revo, for example, vacuums and wet mop with circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute. It detects and raises the pads when it is in contact with carpet to avoid wetting the floor, and you don't need to remove or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles and rugs, while also getting close to them and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to clean your home when you are away. It can be set to mop only. We loved its navigation on bare floors and carpets. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path-planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a large dock that can last for weeks and not need to be empty. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors with no floor. It also comes with a smart mapping system that can be programmed to run only during specific times (a useful feature for keeping the sly children and animals from running amok). The Shark isn't as powerful than other mop/robot combos however it's still effective in removing hair and pet hair. best affordable robot vacuum is the best value of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal pick for hardwood floors because they can easily maneuver around obstacles without damaging the floor's surface. They are capable of picking up crumbs and dust, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction power of an expensive upright or canister vacuum, so they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or deep cleaning upholstery.

The best two-in-one robots combine mopping and vacuum to complete the entire chore in one sweep. Find one that has an onboard sensor to detect changes in the floor's texture and adjust suction accordingly. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it effortlessly transition from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly comprised of hardwood floors, consider 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 and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors let it avoid hazards such as stairs.

When it comes to mop pads, the eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors with downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to get rid of light dust and dirt. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste and reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned at the docking station to save you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to avoid spreading mold.

Both the robovac as well as the mop can be controlled from your smartphone, making it easier to manage the device. For instance you can use the app to create a zone that the vacuum cannot enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock that collects debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best suited for small areas. They have smaller bins that contain less debris, and they're more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than more expensive models, but you'll have to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago, robot vacuums went through a major change as manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would get stuck on or run over. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robotic accident.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of the issues these machines face. The cheaper models are still not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they need an adequate amount of light in order to be able to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of low-profile furniture, consider getting one that uses top-mounted spinning laser units to map your area, as our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to avoid obstacles like stairs and other ones when working in darkness.

In addition to being capable of working in the dark and in the dark, these models can be programmed to use their cliff sensors only close to or on the floor, not when they're above them. It is still recommended to cover any mirrors that may hinder this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in another room.

Some of the models that we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to go to. This can be helpful for those with pets or children who are small. These features aren't included on all the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.