How to Choose the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Robot vacuums will save you time and effort when it comes to regular cleaning. The best ones are adept at cleaning up dust, light debris and cords.

The pricier ones even mop your floors, though they aren't able to climb stairs. Make sure you choose models with smart mapping, real time hazard avoidance and large self-emptying bins.

Best Overall

The best robots we tested were reliable, user-friendly and able to cope with the daily messes. You'll also need a robot that can take on stairs and has good pick-up power on carpets. If you're looking for a robot that has additional features, you should consider an option that incorporates smart mapping technology or an app to control it remotely.

Camryn Rabideau, a contributing shopping writer for PEOPLE and a product reviewer who has tried dozens robotic vacuums, is credited with testing hundreds of robot vacuums. She prefers the ones with the most features like those with self-emptying bins and charging stations that automatically empty and refill water tanks to mop robotic vacuums. She also loves robots that recognize landmarks, such as furniture legs and power cables so that they don't fall when climbing steps.

When compared with the top-rated models this Black and Decker vacuum isn't as advanced in its object-avoidance capabilities, and its navigation score is lower. However, it does have a large dustbin that doesn't need frequent emptying, and has a long battery life. It also has a feature which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and return to where it stopped last, making it easier to take care of larger homes. This model is also a good option for pet owners since it can spot and avoid tangled hair and fallen food particles.

In our tests, we discovered that the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra combined the LIDAR (light) sensor which can identify rooms and obstacles by using a structured-light sensor to identify objects and detect edges. It can avoid the steps, liquid droplets and furniture legs easily using this combination. It is also able to save up to four floor plans for later use. It can also pause the cleaning process at any point and return to where it stopped and let you do chores while the robot is working. The app includes an interactive 3D model of your home, with room labels as well as advanced cleaning options.

This robot is not as efficient in cleaning like our top models, however it is a pro in picking up larger items like orzo pasta, metal screws and fine particles such as sand. The only drawbacks are that it cannot mop and its navigation system is less impressive.

Best for Carpet

If you have carpeting, choose a robot vacuum with a high rating for carpet and rug maneuverability and pickup. A lot of models do a great job of removing dust that has been embedded in carpets with a low pile, and several do a decent job at cleaning up larger debris such as orzo pasta, metal screws, and pet hair. However, they can't handle fine particles as well as an upright or canister vacuum and can miss ground-in dirt close to baseboards and thresholds.

For most carpeted homes the 2-in-1 robot vacuum is the best choice. You can swap out the cleaning bin for a damp mopping mat. The Roborock Q Revo, for instance, vacuums and a wet mop with circular pads that spin at a rate of 200 rotations per minute. It is able to detect and lift its pads when it comes into contact with carpet, which prevents the floor from becoming wet. You don't have to take them off or replace them every time. The Q Revo also performs better than other robot vacuums and mops in avoiding obstacles and getting closer to carpets and thresholds.

The iRobot Roomba Combo i5 is another option worth considering. It performed well in our tests, and you can schedule it to tidy your home when you are away. It can be set to only mop. top robot vacuum loved its navigation on floors with no flooring as well as rug. The Combo i5 also has a extremely long run time and great path planning for a device of this size.

If you're looking for a more 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 emptied. It also features impressive ability to navigate and auto-empty on carpets and bare floors. It also has a clever mapping system that can be programmed to only run during certain times (a useful feature to stop the sly children and animals from running wild). The Shark is less powerful than other mop/robot combinations, but it still picks hair and pet hair extremely well. It's also the best value of our top choices.

The best choice for hardwood floors

Robot vacuums are the best option for hardwood floors since they are able to easily maneuver around obstacles and not damage bare surfaces. They are excellent at of picking up dust and crumbs, however they are unable to deal with pet hair and other large debris. They lack the suction of the top canister or upright vacuum, which makes them a poor choice for deep cleaning upholstery or carpeted areas.

The most effective two-in-one robots incorporate a vacuum and a mop, taking care of an entire task in one sweep. If you have flooring that is mixed you should look for a model with an onboard sensor that detects changes in the floor's texture and adjusts suction accordingly. The ECOVACS DEEBOT T9+ for example, has this feature and can move seamlessly from hard to soft carpeting.

If you have lots of hardwood flooring in your home, you might want to think about a robotic mop and vacuum combo like the Eufy S1 Pro. robotic vacuum cleaner on sale is an impressive robotic vacuum that has intelligent navigation that can clean hardwood and other surfaces. It also mop. Its sensors assist it in avoiding stairs and other hazards so you don't have to be worried about the robot falling down the stairs and breaking your hardwood.

The eufy S1 Pro mop is designed to clean hardwood floors by applying downward pressure, not simply swab them in order to remove dirt and dust. The mop pads that are reusable reduce the amount of waste, and reduce the spread of germs and can be cleaned in the docking station, saving you time. The mops can also be washed and dried to prevent the spread of mold.

Both the robovac and mop are both controlled by your smartphone to make it easier to manage the device. For instance, you can, use the app to create no-go zones that the vacuum will not enter, label different rooms, or schedule specific cleaning times. The eufy S1 Pro has an auto-emptying port that collects debris through trapdoors and then puts it in a bag-less or disposable bin. This means that you won't need to empty the bin manually as often as other models.

Ideal for small Spaces

These robots are made to work in small spaces. They have smaller bins that hold less garbage, and are more efficient than larger models when it comes to maneuvering tight corners. They can also be placed under furniture that larger robots aren't able to reach. They are also less expensive than higher-end models, but you'll have to empty their dirt bins manually at the end each cleaning session.

A couple of years ago, robotic vacuums underwent a significant change when manufacturers began adding sensors to help them navigate around and avoid household objects that their traditional sensors would be stuck on or over. These improvements reduced the number times our testers were required to clean up after a robot snag.

However, the new sensors aren't solving all of these machines' problems. The cheapest models are still struggling with the same challenges that the older ones faced, and many of them require a certain amount of illumination to see where they're going. If you live in a dark house or have lots of furniture that is low-profile, think about getting one that uses top-mounted spinning LIDAR units to map your area, like our top overall and runner-up choices do. This allows them to avoid stairs and other barriers when working in darkness.

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


Some of the models we recommend allow you to create virtual no-go areas for areas you don't wish the robot to enter. This can be helpful if you have pets or small children. These features aren't available on all models we test. Check out our complete reviews before making your choice.