How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you lots of time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The top models do a great job picking up dust and light debris and allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The ones that are more expensive will even sweep your floor however they're not able to climb up the stairs. Make sure you choose models with intelligent mapping, real-time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The top robots we've tested that we tested are efficient and easy to use and able to cope with everyday debris. You'll also need a robot that can handle stairs and has adequate cleaning power for carpets. If you want a robot with additional features, think about an option that incorporates smart mapping technology, or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau is a contributing shopping writer and product reviewer at PEOPLE who has tried numerous robotic 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 stairs.

This Black and Decker robot has a lower navigation score and less object-avoidance tech than the top-rated models. However, it has an ample dust bin that doesn't require regular emptying and has a lengthy battery life. Additionally, it has a feature that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and then return to the spot where it last stopped and makes it much easier to cover larger spaces. This model is a great option for pet owners, since it is able to avoid hair tangles and food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can map rooms and detect obstacles with a structured-light sensor to detect objects and detect edges. The combination lets it stay clear of stairs, drops of liquid and furniture legs with ease and save up to four floor maps for future use. It can also stop the cleaning process at any moment and pick up where it left off, so you can do chores while the robot is working. The app provides a 3D view of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

Although this robot isn't able to clean as well as our top-rated models, it excels in picking up fine debris such as baking soda and sand, as well as heavier objects, like orzo pasta and screws made of metal. The only drawback is that it's not able to mop, and has a less effective navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, select a robot vacuum that has a high score for rug and carpet mobility and pickup. A lot of models are adept at picking up dust in low-pile rugs, and some are capable of sweeping up heavier debris, such as orzo pasta and metal screws. They can't take in small particles like an upright or canister, and may miss dirt close to thresholds or baseboards.

For homes with carpets, a 2-in-1 robot mop/vacuum is the best option. It is possible to swap out a cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a mops with circular pads that spin at a speed of 200 rotations per minute. It detects and lifts the pads when it comes into contact with carpet to prevent wetting the floor. Additionally, robot vacuum sale do not need to take them off or replace them after each use. The Q Revo is also better than other robot vacuums/mops in avoiding obstacles such as rugs and thresholds, and staying clear of obstacles.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another solid option. It did well in our tests and you can set it up to schedule it to clean your home while you are away. It can also be set to mop only and we were impressed by its excellent navigation on bare floors and rugs as well as its ability to go up and over furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long run time and excellent path planning for such a small device.

If you want a more advanced model, look into the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum & Mop. It has a huge charging dock that can last for weeks without needing to be emptying and boasts amazing navigation capabilities and automatic emptying on bare floors and carpets. It also has a smart mapping system and can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop mischievous children and dextrous animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combination models however, it still picks up pet hair and hair very well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are the ideal choice for hardwood floors as they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are capable of removing dust and crumbs, but they aren't able to handle pet hair and other large debris. They don't have the suction power of a top-of-the-line upright or canister vacuum, which is why they're not the best choice for carpeted areas or upholstery that needs deep cleaning.

The best two-in-one robots combine a vacuum and a mop and take care of the entire chore in one pass. Choose one that has an onboard sensor that detects any changes in the flooring and adjust suction in line with the changes. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+, for example, has this feature and can go effortlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If your home is mostly composed of hardwood floors, you should consider a robotic mop and vacuum combination like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model is an impressive robotic vacuum that has smart navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It can also mop. Its sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't have to worry about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

When it comes to mops the Eufy S1 Pro is designed to actually wash hardwood floors using downward pressure rather than just wipe them clean to remove dirt and dust. Its reusable pads reduce waste and spread less germs. They can also be cleaned in docking stations to help save time. They are also able to be washed, dried and reused.

Both the robovac and mop can be controlled from your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. You can, for instance utilize 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 that sucks debris through a trapdoor, and stores it in a disposable or bagless bin, meaning you don't need to empty the bin manually as often as you do with other models.

Best for Small Spaces

These robots are specifically designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than the larger models when it comes to navigating tight corners. They can also fit under furniture, where the larger robots are unable to reach. They are usually less expensive than the more expensive models, however, you'll need to empty them manually from their dirt bins at end of each cleaning session.

A few years ago robotic vacuums experienced significant changes. Manufacturers began adding sensors that could help them navigate around and avoid household items that their conventional sensors might be stuck on or across. This improved the number of times our testers had to clean up after a robot snag.


The new sensors don't solve all the issues that these devices have, however. The less expensive models are not able to tackle the same obstacles as older models, and they require a certain level of light to be able to see where they are going. Consider getting an option that incorporates a spinning LIDAR device mounted on top to map the space. Our top pick and runner-up models do this. This allows them to work in the dark and avoid obstacles such as stairs.

They can also be programmed to only utilize their cliff sensors when they are on or near the ground, but not when they are above it. It's important to cover mirrors to prevent this from occurring. The lasers used by LIDAR-based models could bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

A few of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This can be helpful if you have pets or small children. These features aren't present on all models we test. Read our full reviews before deciding.