How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum will save you a lot of time and effort in the case of regular cleaning. The top models do a great job of removing dust and lightweight debris, and most allow you to designate no-go zones in pet areas or power cords.

The more expensive models even clean your floors, but they can't climb the stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time safety features, and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tried were efficient, easy-to-use and able to keep up with the daily debris. You'll want a robot with decent carpet-picking capability and the capability to climb stairs. And, if you're looking for extra features, you might be interested in a robot with smart mapping technology or an app that lets you control the robot remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tested dozens robotic vacuums , is recognized for her testing of hundreds of robot vacuums. She's a fan of the robot vacuums that provide the greatest convenience, such as self-emptying bins and charging docks that automatically empty and fill water tanks for mopping robots. She also enjoys robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing stairs.

In comparison to the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum is less equipped with object-avoidance technology and its score for navigation is lower. It comes with a huge dust bin that is non-refillable and a long battery. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and return to where it stopped at the last point, making it easier for you to clean larger areas. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it is able to identify and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combines with a LIDAR sensor that maps rooms and see obstacles with a structured light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can stay clear of liquid droplets, stairs, and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can pause and resume the cleaning process at any time, so that you can continue doing chores while it does. The included app provides an interactive 3D model of your home, room labels, and more advanced cleaning options.

This model isn't as effective at cleaning like our top models, but it excels in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws, and even fine particles like sand. The only downside is that it isn't able to mop and has a slightly less impressive navigation system.

The best for Carpet

If you have carpeting in your home, search for a robot vacuum with excellent pickup and good maneuverability scores on carpet and rugs. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust embedded in low-pile carpet and a few are capable of picking up heavier debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws and pet hair. They can't take in fine particles like an upright canister, and may miss dirt that is close to thresholds or baseboards.

The best choice for most carpeted homes is a two-in-one robot vacuum/mop. It allows you to swap out a cleaning bin and mopping pad that is damp. 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 rpm. It detects and raises the pads when it encounters carpet to prevent wetting the floor. You do not need to take them off or replace them after every use. The Q Revo is also superior to other robot vacuums/mops in staying clear of obstacles, getting close to rugs and thresholds, and avoiding obstacles.

Another good option is the iRobot Roomba Combo i5, which did exceptionally well in our tests and can be scheduled using the app to clean your home when you're away from home. It can be set to mop only and we were impressed by its impressive navigation on both carpets and floors and its ability to go over and up onto furniture. The Combo i5 also has a very long runtime and excellent path planning for such a small device.

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 without needing to be emptied. It also has amazing navigation and auto-emptying capabilities on carpets and floors that are not cleaned. It's also got an intelligent mapping system that can be programmed to operate during certain hours of the day (a useful feature to keep children and pets who are prone to mischief from causing havoc). The Shark isn't as powerful as other robot vacuum/mop combinations, but it still picks up pet hair and hair with a high degree of accuracy. It's also the highest price of our top picks.

Ideal for Hard Floors

Robot vacuums are best for hardwood floors, as they can navigate through obstacles with ease without causing damage bare surfaces. They are fantastic 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 a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The best robots are two-in-one, combining mop and vacuum to complete the job in one step. Look for one that has an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor texture and adjust suction to match. This feature is available on the ECOVACS Deebot T9+ and lets it move seamlessly from hard carpeting to soft carpeting.

If you have a lot of hardwood floors in your home, you might want to think about a robot mop and vacuum like the Eufy S1 Pro. This model uses a powerful robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation to clean hardwood floors and other hard surfaces, plus it can mop as well. The sensors help it avoid stairs and other hazards so you don't need to worry about the bot plummeting down the stairs and damaging your hardwood.


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

The robovac can be controlled by your smartphone, making it easier to use. For instance, you can use the app to create a zone that the vacuum cannot enter, label separate rooms, or schedule cleaning sessions for certain areas. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris via trapdoors, and then stores it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't have to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are designed to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less debris, and they're more efficient than the larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be tucked under furniture, whereas larger robots are unable to reach. These robots are also cheaper than the more expensive models, but you'll need to empty their dirt compartments manually at the end each cleaning session.

A few years back robot vacuums underwent an important change. Manufacturers began to add sensors that allowed them to avoid household items that their traditional sensors might get stuck on or run across. This has reduced the number of times our testers needed to clean up after a robotic snag whether it was a power cord, a toy, or piece of pet waste.

However, the latest sensors haven't solved all of these machines' problems. The less expensive models are unable to navigate the same obstacles as older models, and require some level of illumination to see where they are going. You should consider a model that uses an LIDAR spinning unit that is placed on top of the model to trace the space. Our top model and the runners-up use this. This allows them to stay clear of stairs and other obstacles when working in darkness.

In addition being capable of working in dark they can also be configured to use their cliff sensors only when they're close to or on the floor, not above them. It's important to cover mirrors in order to stop this from happening. The laser used by the LIDAR-based models can bounce off reflective surfaces, making the robot believe it's in a different room.

Some of the models we recommend will allow you to create virtual no-go zones for areas you don't want the robot to visit. This is helpful if you have pets or small children. Those features aren't available on all the models we've tested, so be sure to review our full reviews of the models below before making your purchase.