How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning. Top performers are good at picking up dust, light debris and cords.


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

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly, and able keep up with daily debris. You'll also want a robot capable of handling stairs and that has decent pick-up power on carpets. And, if you're looking for additional features, you might be interested in a robot 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 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 fill water tanks for mopping robots. She's also a fan of the robots that are able to detect landmarks such as furniture legs and power cords so they don't trip when climbing the stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker robot vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities and its score for navigation is lower. However, it does 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 sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier for you to cover larger areas. This model is a good choice for pet owners since it is able to avoid the tangles of fur and food particles.

In our tests in our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines an LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and detect obstacles, with a structured light sensor that can identify objects and detect edges. The combination allows it to avoid stairs, droplets of liquid and furniture legs easily and save up to four floor maps to be used in the future for reference. It is able to stop and restart the cleaning process at any time, meaning you can continue to do chores while it works. The included app offers an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and advanced cleaning options.

While this robot can't clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in removing fine debris such as baking soda and sand and heavier items like orzo pasta and metal screws. Its only downsides are that it cannot mop and that its navigation system is less impressive.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug ability to maneuver and pick up. Many models are capable of cleaning dust from low-pile rugs. Some can be quite effective in sweeping up heavier debris like orzo pasta and metal screws. However, they aren't able to pick up small particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum, and they may miss ground-in dirt close to thresholds and baseboards.

For most carpeted homes, a 2-in-1 robotic vacuum/mop is the best choice. You can swap out an empty bin to a damp mopping mat. 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 that spin at 200 rotations a minute. It detects and lifts its pads when it comes in contact with carpets, preventing the floor from getting wet. You don't have remove them or replace them every time. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuum/mops at keeping away from obstacles such as 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 schedule it to sweep your home even when you're away. It can be set to only mop. We liked its navigation on bare floors and rug. The Combo i5 has a long runtime and excellent path planning for an item of this size.

If you want a more modern model, you can look at the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can go weeks without needing to be emptying, and it has amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It also has a smart-mapping feature and can be programmed to be operational during certain times of the day (a handy feature for keeping the sly kids and pets from causing havoc). The Shark is less powerful than other robot vacuum/mop combinations however it does pick up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the most affordable value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are ideal for floors made of hardwood, since they can maneuver around obstacles without causing damage to the surfaces that are not. They are great in removing dust and crumbs, but they struggle with pet hair and larger debris. They don't have the suction of an upright or a top-quality canister vacuum, making them unsuitable for deep cleaning carpeted or upholstery areas.

robotic vacuum cleaner on sale are two-in-one, combining a vacuum with a mop to do a complete job in one move. Find a model that has an onboard sensor that can detect any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for instance, has this feature and can transition effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is primarily comprised of hardwood floors, think about an automated vacuum and mop combo like the eufy S1 Pro. This model features a powerful robot vacuum with intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop too. Its sensors assist it in avoiding staircases and other hazards, so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors using downward pressure, instead of simply swab them to get rid of dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce waste, reduce the spread of germs, and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving your time. The mop pads are also able to be dried, washed, and reused.

The robovac can be operated by your smartphone, making it simpler to use. For instance, you can make use of the app to designate an area that the vacuum won't enter or mark rooms as separate or schedule cleaning sessions for specific areas. The eufy S1 Pro also has an auto-emptying dock, which collects debris through a trapdoor and is then stored in a bagless or disposable bin, meaning you don't have to empty the bin manually every time as you would with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

As the name implies the robots are best to be used in small spaces. They have smaller bins that contain less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models in navigating tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, where larger robots struggle to get in. They are also less expensive than the more expensive models, however you will need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced a major change. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate and avoid household items that their traditional sensors might be stuck on or across. The improvements in technology reduced the number of times our testers were required to clean up after a robotic snag.

The new sensors aren't completely eliminating all the issues with these devices, however. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as the older models, and require some level of illumination in order to know where they are going. If you live in a dark house or have a lot of furniture with low-profiles, consider buying a model that utilizes top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your space, like our top overall and runner-up picks do. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles while working in the dark.

In addition being capable of working in dark and in the dark, these models can be set to use their cliff sensors only when they're on or near the floor, not when they're above them. You'll still need to cover any mirrors that may interfere with this function, however, because the lasers used by a LIDAR-based model can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to think it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend also allow you to set up virtual no-go zones in areas you do not want the robot move, which is beneficial if you have small pets or children. These features aren't offered on all the models we test, so be sure to review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.